Oklahoma court OKs adult status for teenage in family slayings

OKLAHOMA CITY: The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals says one of two teenage brothers accused in the stabbing deaths of their parents and three siblings should be tried as an adult, despite his age.
With this court approval, the younger of two teenage brothers accused in the stabbing deaths of their parents and three siblings can be tried as an adult even though he is 17.
The court on Thursday upheld a ruling by a Tulsa County judge who denied Michael Bever’s request to be tried as a youthful offender.
Bever and his 19-year-old brother, Robert Bever, are charged in Tulsa County with five counts of first-degree murder in the July attack that killed their parents and siblings, the youngest of whom was 5.
Michael Bever was 16 at the time of the deaths. A preliminary hearing for the brothers is set for Feb. 23.
Bever had challenged the ruling that rejected defense attorneys’ request that he be certified as a youthful offender.
Prosecutors allege he conspired with his brother to kill their father, David Bever, and mother, April, along with siblings Daniel, Christopher and Victoria.
The Oklahoma Medical Examiner’s Office has said autopsies indicated all five family members were stabbed dozens of times and died of multiple, sharp-force injuries.
David Bever had at least 28 total wounds to his body and April Bever had at least 48 total wounds, according to autopsy reports.
Two family members survived the attack. One of them, a teenage girl, plans to testify for the prosecution at the brothers’ preliminary hearing.
Nigh, who has said he would take the case to the U.S Supreme Court if necessary, said he was disappointed in the appellate court’s decision but did not say whether further appeals are planned.