UPDATE (11-16-18): Ramos is due to appear before a judge at the Volusia County Jail this afternoon, as are 17-year-olds Dylan Ceglarek and Brian Porras, the two co-defendants in this case.
Earlier reporting below.
DeLand, FL - The 15-year-old DeBary boy arrested for murdering his mother over bad grades two weeks ago is now under indictment for first-degree murder.
A Volusia County grand jury signed off on that today (November 15th) for
Gregory Ramos, who will be tried as an adult for the death of 46-year-old Gail Cleavenger.
Moments afterward, Florida 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza said it was a "sad day".
"This is a shocking case," Larizza added. "I’m bewildered by the fact that we are in a position that we have to prosecute a 15-year-old for murdering his mother."
Speaking to reporters alongside Larizza during a press conference this afternoon at the steps of the Volusia County Courthouse in DeLand, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood agreed with the decision to try Ramos as an adult, saying the boy showed "an extreme indifference for human life" while being questioned by detectives.
"In his own words, he took 30 minutes to kill his mother," Chitwood stated. "I don't think we're talking about a typical 15-year-old kid here."
Ramos - a University High School student - will not be eligible for the death penalty if convicted because he's under the age of 18 but could be sentenced to life in prison, according to Larizza.
"If he's found guilty, then it is mandatory that he be sentenced as an adult," Larizza noted. "If, for some reason, he is found guilty or pleads to some lesser charge, then the judge would have the option of potentially sentencing him as a juvenile."
Two of Ramos' friends who were arrested as accessories for their role in this case - 17-year-olds Dylan Ceglarek and Brian Porras - have been charged as adults and could each face up to 30 years in prison if convicted, per Larizza. They're now out on bond but under home detention.
Ramos will be transferred from Department of Juvenile Justice custody following today's indictment, but it's not clear at this point where he will be housed.
UPDATE (11-16-18): Ramos is due to appear before a judge at the Volusia County Jail this afternoon, as are 17-year-olds Dylan Ceglarek and Brian Porras, the two co-defendants in this case.
Earlier reporting below.
DeLand, FL - The 15-year-old DeBary boy arrested for murdering his mother over bad grades two weeks ago is now under indictment for first-degree murder.
A Volusia County grand jury signed off on that today (November 15th) for Gregory Ramos, who will be tried as an adult for the death of 46-year-old Gail Cleavenger.
Moments afterward, Florida 7th Circuit State Attorney R.J. Larizza said it was a "sad day".
