Hit-and-run case sent to youth court

The homicide case involving a teenager charged with killing a 3-year-old boy in a hit and run accident at a Pablo trailer park on Thanksgiving Day has been transferred to Youth Court.

Lake County District Court Judge James A. Manley granted the transfer request made by lawyers of Chasen Curley, 17 of Ronan, who is accused of negligent homicide in the death of Phillip Shourds Jr.

In his ruling, Manley stated that a youth court proceeding would serve the best interest of the community and that he saw no evidence indicating Curley poses a risk.

Curley is charged with allegedly backing over and killing Shourds Jr. while the toddler was riding his bike in the Northwood Trailer Park in Pablo.

While prosecutors argued that Youth Court does not have jurisdiction over traffic crimes, Manley nevertheless ordered the case to be transferred, noting that the jurisdictional issue can be raised by either party at a later date.

Manley noted expert testimoney stating that the 17-year-old has been affected by instability throughout his life, and has been placed in six different schools and 10 different foster parent arrangements since birth.

Manley added that Curley’s case can be transferred back to District Court for purposes of supervision if convicted.