LOS LUNAS, N.M. – A 15-year-old New Mexico boy accused of killing his 12-year-old friend will be tried as an adult.
Thirteenth Judicial District Attorney Lemuel Martinez announced Friday that the teen will be tried as adult on first-degree murder and tampering with evidence charges.
An arrest warrant affidavit says the 15-year-old suspect hit Alex Madrid, of Albuquerque, on the left side of his head, then placed him under a mattress in a rural field outside Los Lunas.
Madrid was found dead last week.
Under New Mexico law, the state can charge minors as adults only if they are at least 14. The AP typically doesn't identify juveniles charged in crimes.
Martinez says the judge also will have an option of sentencing the suspect as a youthful offender. That means the judge wouldn't have to impose a maximum sentence, as they would for an adult.
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