Attorneys for another suspect schedule change of plea hearing
JOSHUA WOLFSON Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Thursday, November 20, 2008 12:00 am
A teenager charged as an adult in the stabbing death of a Casper man may have his case moved to juvenile court, documents show.
Natrona County's top prosecutor and the attorney for Juan Carlos Diaz have filed a joint motion to transfer the teen's case to juvenile court "for disposition as a juvenile delinquency proceeding," according to recent district court filing.
Diaz, 16, is one of three people charged in connection with the July 18 killing of Johnny Shane Moody, who was found by a police officer lying in an alley on the 700 block of East A Street. Moody, 48, suffered stab wounds to the chest and back.
In the aftermath, prosecutors charged Jeffrey Lee Carter, a 46-year-old acquaintance of Moody's, with second-degree murder. A witness reportedly told police the men were arguing around the time of the stabbing.
Diaz and Jonathan Jelsma, 21, are suspected of assaulting Moody during the incident. Both were charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder.
Natrona County District Attorney Michael Blonigen and Diaz attorney Kurt Infanger declined to comment Thursday about the apparent move of Diaz's case. Both men said they couldn't comment because the case will be a juvenile matter.
Jelsma, meanwhile, is due in district court this morning for a change of plea hearing. At such hearings, defendants usually enter into plea bargains with prosecutors.
In a court document filed Monday, Blonigen indicated Carter was the only defendant proceeding to trial at this time. That trial is currently set for Dec. 8. However, Carter's attorney, Dion Custis, filed a motion Wednesday asking to delay the proceedings.
In the motion, Custis wrote he needed more time to prepare for trial.
All three defendants have pleaded not guilty.
Reach crime reporter Joshua Wolfson at (307) 266-0582 or at josh.wolfson@trib.com.