By Trend News Line 2024-06-11 00:00:47.
The Start of the Transfer Hearing
The 8th Judicial District Attorney’s Office commenced a crucial 3-day transfer hearing on Monday for a Greeley boy implicated in the 2023 shooting and fatality of Nasier Graham, along with the injury of another teenager. The primary aim of this hearing is to determine whether the boy, who remains unidentified, will face charges as an adult or a juvenile.
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Expert Testimonies and Insights
Throughout the day, the prosecution summoned three witnesses to the stand. Tyler Fittz, a program manager at the Department of Youth Services’ northeast region, shed light on the processes involved in placing youth offenders into their system and guiding them through various facilities and services. Fittz mentioned that youth offenders sentenced to DYS could face a maximum of seven years and must not be detained beyond the age of 21. Additionally, Sunshyne Harris, a mental health program administrator at the Colorado Department of Corrections, elaborated on the mental health resources available to offenders, while Brian Trujillo from Youthful Offender Services discussed the program’s acceptance criteria and operational procedures.
Impact Statements from Victim Families
Following the expert testimonies, several family members of the victims were called upon to deliver impact statements. Deanna Ballesteros, the mother of the 16-year-old victim, expressed the profound impact of the incident on her son, who suffered severe arm injuries and had to relearn basic functions. She conveyed the perpetual fear and trauma that now plagues their daily lives. Aubree Ballesteros, the victim’s older sister, emphasised the lasting emotional toll inflicted by the perpetrators.
Tributes to Nasier Graham
Family members of Nasier Graham took the stand, reminiscing about his wisdom and promising future. Okema Bassett, the fiancé of Graham’s father, described him as a young man with unmatched wisdom beyond his years. She pleaded with the court to show the same compassion to the perpetrators as they had shown Nasier. Frederico Graham, Nasier’s father, described the incident as a devastating blow that shattered their family’s dreams and hopes for the future.
Continuation of the Transfer Hearing
The transfer hearing is scheduled to proceed until Wednesday, with the defense team preparing to present their witnesses on Tuesday morning. The boy involved in Monday’s proceedings is one of three Greeley teenagers arrested following the tragic events at the Brookstone apartment complex in January 2023. The incident led to the injury of a 16-year-old boy and the untimely death of Nasier Graham.
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Legal Proceedings and Sentences
Eighth Judicial District Court Judge Daniel McDonald had previously established probable cause for the felony charges against the boy during a comprehensive hearing in early May. The other two teenagers involved in the case have either entered guilty pleas or received sentencing. Vincent Zamora, the sole identified suspect, pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges, including second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, with a potential sentence of up to 40 years. The third teen, who remained unnamed, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and received a four-year sentence in the Department of Youth Services..
– Larimer County prosecutors
– Brookstone apartment shooting.
