HAMILTON, Ohio -- The 14-year-old Hamilton girl who police said picked up a gun, loaded it and shot her father to death should be tried in adult court, Butler County's prosecutor said Friday.
Mariah Ponder is charged with aggravated murder and appeared in court Friday, just two days after her 71-year-old father, James Ponder, was buried.
Family members weeping as they leave court after aggravated murder case against 14 yr old heard in juvenile court @journalnews
— rick mccrabb (@rickmccrabb) March 3, 2017
Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said life is filled with definitions, but “few as poignant and grave” as murder.
Gmoser said the purpose of the juvenile court is "to provide care, protection, and mental and physical development of children," whereas adult sentencing is rooted in "accountability, public protection and punishment."
Gmoser signed a motion Friday asking the juvenile division to relinquish jurisdiction of the case for murder against Ponder. After that, she can be tried as an adult.
Ponder's next hearing is scheduled for April 18. Until then, she'll remain in juvenile detention.
Read more on this case here.
