Tuesday, October 20, 2009

The Morris County Prosecutor's Office will pursue the prosecution of a 17-year-old who is accused of stabbing an individual who was a guest at a party in May in Roxbury. On Monday October 19, 2009 the juvenile was "waived up'" by Superior Court Family Division Judge Michael Paul Wright which will allow the youth to be tried as an adult in criminal court. The request was granted after Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Samantha DeNegri argued to have Budd Lake resident Skyler Gaines tried as an adult for the May 2, alleged attempted murder of the victim who was stabbed in the abdomen. Gaines, who turns 18 in February, continues to be held in the Morris County Youth Detention Facility at this time.

Despite these pending charges every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his or her rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitution and relevant state law.