Hamilton teen’s attorney references Carlisle baby case in bond request

Attorneys cited another high profile case during a bond debate for a Hamilton teen charged in the shooting death of her father.

The teen, now 15 years old, was in Butler County Juvenile Court today for a pre-trial hearing. She is charged with aggravated murder for the Feb. 23 shooting death of her father at their Millville Avenue home.

The girl’s case will stay in juvenile court, but due to a recent grand jury indictment, she is now entitled to bond.

Prosecutors asked that bond be set at $1 million due to the seriousness of the charge.

Nicole Stephenson, one of the teen’s attorneys, referenced bond set in Warren County’s Brooke Skylar Richardson case.

Richardson, 18, of Carlisle, is charged with aggravated murder and other felonies for allegedly killing her infant and then burning the body and burying it in her back yard.

MORE: Carlisle buried baby case: What both sides are saying

Richardson is out of jail after she was able to post 10 percent — or $5,000 — of the $50,000 bond set by Warren County Common Pleas Judge Donald Oda.

The Carlisle teen is on house arrest and is fitted with an ankle monitor.

“I am asking for a lower bond, with safeguards for (the teen),” Stephenson said.

Like Richardson, she said, the Hamilton teen has no prior criminal history.

“I am well aware of the other case,” Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Kathleen Romans said. “I believe there are differences, profound differences, between the two cases.”

Romans set bond at $300,000 for the Hamilton teen, with a 10 percent cash rule, meaning $30,000 must be posted.

The teen’s family and attorneys declined comment.

Also today in court an Oct. 30 hearing date was set on a motion that statements made to police by the girl should be suppressed.

Defense attorney Matthew Fritsch filed the motion last week, saying his 14-year-old client’s constitutional rights were violated during questioning while she was in police custody.

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