A New Jersey teen accused of intentionally plowing into and killing two teen girls may face trial as an adult.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, the police apprehended the 17-year-old male on two counts of first-degree murder Monday, linked to the deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both aged 17.
The victims were riding electronic bikes in Cranford on September 29 when the incident occurred.
Former Morris County Assistant Prosecutor, Alissa Hascup, now practicing privately, informed The New York Post that the prosecutors will seek to move the case to adult criminal court by means of a waiver.
“I would be shocked if the state didn’t apply for a waiver,” Hascup, a partner at Einhorn Barbarito, said.
“As part of the waiver application, prosecutors present a written statement of reason, outlining the facts of the case with an explanation of how evaluating those facts justifies a waiver for the particular juvenile.”
According to Hascup, once the waiver is submitted, “it’s incredibly difficult to overcome” for the defense. She noted that waivers “are granted—unless the court is clearly convinced the prosecutor is misusing their discretion in filing the waiver motion.”
The suspect was reportedly driving at 70 mph in a 25 mph zone when he collided with Niotis and Salas. Witnesses indicated the crash seemed deliberate, and the driver fled the scene afterward.
Sources informed WNBC that Salas and Niotis were acquainted with their killer. The teen was also accused of stalking one of the girls, allegedly parking outside her residence for three months. It was reported that one of the girls had a restraining order against the suspect.
According to court records, the teen is facing multiple charges and tickets: two first-degree murder charges and 15 tickets and citations, including for speeding, reckless driving, and driving without a license, CBS News reported.
On Saturday, Salas’s wake was held in Cranford, and on Friday, Niotis’s funeral was in Union.
Though the suspect has been identified in multiple media reports, CrimeOnline is not currently identifying him, as he has not been charged as an adult.
[Feature Photo: Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas/ GoFundMe]
