The 16-year-old male juvenile charged with the homicide of Gay Mee Paw appeared in court Wednesday for arraignment, and a transfer hearing was set to determine whether the case will be tried in adult court.
During the arraignment, the judge informed the juvenile of their rights and the charges against them, according to Daviess County Attorney John Burlew.
According to a release from Burlew, the judge entered a not guilty plea on the behalf of the individual, and after some debate and discussion a transfer hearing was tentatively scheduled for Sept. 6, 2023.
At the transfer hearing, the Commonwealth will seek to have the case transferred to adult court.
The 16-year-old male suspect was arrested the evening of the shooting, which took place June 21. In addition to murder, the juvenile has been charged with tampering with physical evidence and possession of a handgun by a minor.
On June 26, the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office announced a second male juvenile — this one 17 years old — had been charged in connection to the homicide of Paw. DCSO said charges included tampering with physical evidence, possession of a handgun by a minor, and unlawfully providing/permitting a minor to possess a handgun.
The second juvenile faced arraignment on July 3. Burlew said there are no plans to transfer the second juvenile to adult court, as they are ineligible according to KRS 635.020.
According to Burlew, the second juvenile did not actively use the firearm against another person in any of their offenses, making them ineligible to be tried as an adult.
Because the suspects are juveniles, their identities cannot be released at this time according to state law. If the 16-year-old is transferred to adult court, his identity will be released following his first appearance in adult court.
