17 Year Old Raszewski To Stand Trial As Adult
Finally! Ten days ago, we were concerned that a County Judge might send a rape trial down to the juvenile courts. After all it would seem consistent with the recent sentences from other Judges sitting on the bench.
While coming to the decision to try him as an adult, Caroom said he needed to weigh the chance of any rehabilitation (better in a juvenile facility) with the the defendant’s crime and concern for the public at large, since it was testified that he likely would re-offend. Caroom said the crime was “heinous and shocking”.
Caroom’s decision goes against the recommendations of experts on both the defense and prosecution who had apparently already lined up a residential treatment facility to accept Raszewski.
Raszewski’s defense attorney is considering appealing Caroom’s order after conferring with Raszewski’s parents. Any appeal will have to be fast as the trial in adult court is scheduled to begin on September 29, 2009.
Raszewski is charged with luring a 7-year old girl into him home where he forcefully raped her while her babysitter took he younger brother to the bathroom. Raszewski is a resident of Crofton, MD (where the attack occurred) and was a Junior at South River High School in Edgewater. The attack occurred 3 days after Raszewski’s 17th birthday.
