Teen Arson Suspect Waived To Adult Court
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Timothy Grevenstuk has been waived to adult court on charges related to a church fire in Leesburg.
The 17-year-old was waived from juvenile court to Superior Court today in a decision by Judge Duane Huffer.
In the hearing, prosecutor Dan Nelson argued that there was probable cause that Grevenstuk committed obstruction of justice and intimidation.
The charges stemmed from the investigation into the July fire that destroyed the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church. Grevenstuk allegedly admitted he set the fire to a 14-year-old girl. He then reportedly threatened to kill the girl if she told police.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Detective Thomas Brindle testified in the hearing that the witness was "one very, very scared little girl."
Probation officer Ronda Holland testified to a pattern of Grevenstuk's delinquency. In 1992, he was charged with criminal recklessness and completed six months' probation. In 1994, Grevenstuk was placed on probation until he was 18 for theft. In 1997, he was charged with probation violation for driving while intoxicated and theft. Grevenstuk was placed at Riverwood Ranch until June 1997 and continued his probation until he was 18.
Public defender Jay Rigdon argued that none of Grevenstuk's previous charges involved threatening or harming individuals like the present charge. He also suggested the state attempt to rehabilitate Grevenstuk at the Indiana Boys School if Grevenstuk were found guilty.
After less than 10 minutes of recess, Huffer ruled that Grevenstuk was delinquent by violating his previous probation. Huffer said it was in the best interest and safety of the community that Grevenstuk stand trial as an adult.
Grevenstuk is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $5,000 bond.
He will be scheduled for an initial hearing with the court as an adult.
Nelson said he is not surprised at the relatively low bond for two class D felonies. He said other low bonds have been set by the same court. [[In-content Ad]]
Timothy Grevenstuk has been waived to adult court on charges related to a church fire in Leesburg.
The 17-year-old was waived from juvenile court to Superior Court today in a decision by Judge Duane Huffer.
In the hearing, prosecutor Dan Nelson argued that there was probable cause that Grevenstuk committed obstruction of justice and intimidation.
The charges stemmed from the investigation into the July fire that destroyed the Leesburg Grace Brethren Church. Grevenstuk allegedly admitted he set the fire to a 14-year-old girl. He then reportedly threatened to kill the girl if she told police.
Kosciusko County Sheriff's Detective Thomas Brindle testified in the hearing that the witness was "one very, very scared little girl."
Probation officer Ronda Holland testified to a pattern of Grevenstuk's delinquency. In 1992, he was charged with criminal recklessness and completed six months' probation. In 1994, Grevenstuk was placed on probation until he was 18 for theft. In 1997, he was charged with probation violation for driving while intoxicated and theft. Grevenstuk was placed at Riverwood Ranch until June 1997 and continued his probation until he was 18.
Public defender Jay Rigdon argued that none of Grevenstuk's previous charges involved threatening or harming individuals like the present charge. He also suggested the state attempt to rehabilitate Grevenstuk at the Indiana Boys School if Grevenstuk were found guilty.
After less than 10 minutes of recess, Huffer ruled that Grevenstuk was delinquent by violating his previous probation. Huffer said it was in the best interest and safety of the community that Grevenstuk stand trial as an adult.
Grevenstuk is being held in the Kosciusko County Jail on $5,000 bond.
He will be scheduled for an initial hearing with the court as an adult.
Nelson said he is not surprised at the relatively low bond for two class D felonies. He said other low bonds have been set by the same court. [[In-content Ad]]