Attorney Seeks Case Transfer for Teen Charged with Murder
The attorney for Bella Vista teenager Bryce Anderson, 17, has filed a motion to transfer the case from adult court to an extended juvenile jurisdiction. This move, should it be successful, could pave the way for Anderson to potentially avoid adult incarceration and focus on rehabilitation instead. Anderson has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which include first-degree murder and first-degree battery, in connection to the death of his four-month-old son.
The Incident
Law enforcement learned of the incident on March 4 when the unconscious baby was found not breathing. Anderson had been alone with the baby that morning while his mother and her husband worked. He reported that the child had fallen asleep following a bottle feeding, but soon became unresponsive. Medical professionals later discovered severe injuries, including a brain bleed, blood behind both eyes, and femur fractures, indicating non-accidental trauma.
The autopsy results eventually confirmed the baby died from these injuries on April 7. The incidents have led the case to continue in adult court thus far, but Anderson’s defense hopes to shift the focus to potential rehabilitation should the case be transferred to a juvenile jurisdiction.
Court Proceedings
A hearing on the transfer issue has been scheduled for October 2. If successful, this could mean that while Anderson could still be sent to prison when he turns 21 if convicted, he would have the opportunity to undergo rehabilitation and receive support alongside juvenile court procedures. Despite the severity of the charges, the defense team is pushing for a more nuanced approach, citing the potential for growth and change in the teenage years.
