Lance Tiernan was tried and convicted of the beating death of a 16-year-old boy in a Butler County Common Pleas Court and his case will remain in adult court, meaning the crime can never be erased from his record, a judge ruled Monday.

Tiernan, dressed in a tie and flanked by attorneys, Charles M. Rittgers and Nicholas Graman, listened as Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft announce his decision, but showed little emotion during the 45-minute hearing.

Tiernan, who turned 18 in May, was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter but not guilty of the original charge of murder for the death of Anthony Park at One Way Farm group home in Fairfield Twp. He was tried as an adult on a mandatory bind-over from the juvenile court on the murder charge. but because he was found guilty on a non-mandatory bind-over charge, the case was returned to juvenile court.

Prosecutors objected arguing Tiernan’s case should remain in adult court, which then required a hearing and decision by Craft on what the judge called a “reverse bind over.”

“I know Lance is very remorseful … it is something he will have to live with for the rest of his life,” Rittgers said.

The defense attorneys noted Tiernan has no previous criminal record, except for an unruly charge and a truancy issue and is now living in a stable environment with a former teacher and her husband. Before the incident, Tiernan was on track to graduate. He is currently taking anger management classes and his guardians are scheduled to talk with officials in Milford about him enrolling in that school system.

“He did not intend the type of harm that occurred,” Graman said. “I don’t think you will find a more ideal candidate for rehabilitation in the juvenile system than Lance Tiernan.”

Jessica Krohn, a Mason teacher who along with her husband has taken Tiernan in, spoke on the teen’s behalf, noting she knows how much potential he has.

Prosecutors and the guardian of the 16-year-old boy who was killed pointed to the loss of life caused by Tiernan’s actions.

“Do not not let your decision demean the seriousness of this defendants actions caught on video at One Way Farm,” said Assistant Prosecutor Brad Burress. “This was a physical attack, it was one sided.”

Burress noted Tiernan was 8 inches taller and 70 pound heavier than Parker.

Anthony Parker was seen running away from Tiernan when the defendant, “picked him up high and slammed him down on his head,” Burress said.

Anita Smith, Parker’s guardian at the time of his death, told the judge Parker was not a fighter or aggressive person.

“Lance himself on the jury stand said he meant to hurt him (Parker), maybe not kill him, but meant to hurt him,” Smith said.

In making his decision, Craft pointed to the fact that “someone is dead” and that if juvenile court retained jurisdiction there could be no repercussion should Tiernan refuse to comply with judge’s orders because he has already served 10 months behind bars awaiting trial and after his conviction.

In adult court, Tiernan will be on one year intensive supervised probation and four years probation. He has also been ordered to serve 500 hours of community service. He can be sent to prison if he does not comply.