Teen accused of murder of 14-year-old boy in Youngstown cannot be tried as adult

A teenager has been arrested in connection with the death of a 14-year-old boy in Youngstown back in November.

According to a representative for Judge Theresa Dellick in the Mahoning County Juvenile Court, a 13-year-old boy has been booked into the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center on a charge of murder with firearm specifications.

The charge stems from the shooting death of 14-year-old Logan Taylor in a home on Lucius Avenue back in November. Taylor was pronounced dead in the hospital days later.

Initially, 21 News reported the shooting as accidental. At this point, it is unclear what has changed in this case since that previous report. Still, YPD Lieutenant Mohammad Awad says after reviewing all available evidence, the Prosecutor's Office had determined that the charge of murder was most appropriate.

According to a criminal complaint, had the suspect been an adult, he would have been charged with aggravated murder instead.

According to Judge Dellick, the worst-case scenario is that the teen will remain in JJC until he turns 21 years old, and however long his sentence is, three more years will be added due to the firearm specification. 

According to the Ohio State Bar Association, any juvenile under the age of 14 cannot be tried as an adult, even for charges like murder. 

"Regardless of any criminal charges, the City of Youngstown and the entire community continue to mourn the loss of all young men and women who lose their lives to gun violence and accidents. The primary and secondary trauma that befalls the families in these tragic events must not be forgotten, and the City continues to offer support and resources to all of those involved," Awad said.

The teen was arraigned at 1:00 p.m. Friday in Juvenile Court, where his attorney entered a plea of denial for the charges against him. Prosecutors waived their appearance in court.