A New Jersey teen accused of intentionally plowing into and killing two teen girls may face trial as an adult.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police arrested the 17-year-old male on two counts of first-degree murder Monday, in connection with the deaths of Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas, both 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, told The New York Post that prosecutors will attempt to have the case transferred to adult criminal court via 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 provide a written statement of reason, setting forth the facts of the case with an explanation as to how the evaluation of those facts supports a waiver for the particular juvenile.”
According to Hascup, once the waiver is filed, “it’s incredibly difficult to overcome” for the defense. She added that the waivers “are granted—unless the court is clearly convinced the prosecutor is abusing their discretion in filing the waiver motion.”
The suspect had been allegedly driving 70 mph in a 25 mph zone when he crashed into Niotis and Salas. Witnesses said the crash appeared intentional, and the driver sped off afterward.
Sources told WNBC that Salas and Niotis knew their killer. The teen was also accused of stalking one of the girls, allegedly parking out front of her home for three months. One of the girls reportedly 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.
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[Feature Photo: Maria Niotis and Isabella Salas/ GoFundMe]
