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14-year-old rape suspect to be tried as adult

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Staff Report Updated 11:58 AM Friday, March 19, 2010

HAMILTON — Alex Ramirez, 14, will be tried as an adult for allegedly sexually assaulting and robbing a 64-year-old woman in her Liberty Twp. home.

Butler County Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft said his decision to bind the case over to adult court was based largely on his reportedly low chance of successful treatment, and concerns about community safety.

Bond was set at $1.1 million.

This followed testimony from a forensic psychologist and local pediatrician on his chances of being rehabilitated in the juvenile system.

If he had stayed in juvenile court, he would have been released at age 21. In adult court, he faces a sentence of 14 to 48 years, Craft said.

Family of Phyllis Mays — who has agreed to be identified — previously testified she has lost her will to live and is struggling to just eat and drink since the attack.

“All she wants to do is sit and stare out a window,” son Andy Feltner said in court on March 8.

According to Butler County sheriff’s detectives, the woman was attacked on Jan. 11 after the 14-year-old Monroe student — armed with a rifle — entered her residence at Countryside Mobile Home Community in Liberty Twp. Authorities said the youth demanded money, hit the woman in the head and raped her before forcing her to drive to an ATM.

Detectives previously testified the woman’s residence resembled the scene of a homicide when they first arrived, with blood splattered throughout the mobile home.

The defendant is charged with felonious assault, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, kidnapping and rape. Prosecutors argued for the case to be tried in adult court.

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