Opinion ID: 173146
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: wilson’s state juvenile court proceedings

Text: In September or October 1997, Wilson was charged as a juvenile with Accessory to First Degree Murder.3 Cliff Stark was appointed to represent him. The case was assigned to District Court Judge Chappelle. On July 30, 1998, Judge Chappelle held a hearing and found prosecutive merit to the charge. It is unclear from the record whether the State moved for adult certification or whether Judge Chappelle did so sua sponte. In any event, on September 17, 1998, Judge Chappelle held another hearing to determine whether Wilson should be certified to stand trial as an adult. He concluded Wilson should be so certified. In doing so, he considered the factors set forth in Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10, § 7303-4.3(B) , finding: (1) the offense was committed in an aggressive, violent, premeditated and willful manner against a person and resulted in the loss of a person’s life; (2) Wilson had a fair understanding of appropriate social behavior, was capable of making adequate decisions about social situations, and was capable of understanding right from wrong; (3) Wilson minimized responsibility for his actions and lacked respect for other people and property; (4) while Wilson had only a few previous contacts with law enforcement, his mother had recently 3 Accessory to First Degree Murder is not an offense for which a juvenile is automatically considered an adult. See Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10, § 7306-1.1(A), (B). -7- obtained a protective order against him,4 he had been referred to law enforcement for possessing marijuana and trespassing, and the assistant district attorney (ADA) had stated he was a suspect in two other homicides; (5) according to Dr. Cooper, who performed a psychological evaluation on Wilson, there was only a slight chance for adequate protection of the community should Wilson be placed in a medium or secure facility; and (6) there were facilities available for Wilson’s placement within the juvenile system. While the last factor weighed in favor of Wilson (i.e., against certification), Judge Chappelle stated he was “most concerned” with the nature of the charge, Wilson’s lack of remorse, and the calculated design and planning used to carry out the crime “confessed to by [Wilson].” (R. Vol. I, Doc. 1 at 46.) Judge Chappelle’s order certifying Wilson for adult prosecution was immediately appealable, a remedy Wilson did not pursue. See Okla. Stat. Ann. tit. 10, § 7303-4.3(E).