Versailles, IN—After a series of lengthy court proceedings in Ripley County, a fifteen-year-old accused of double murder will stand trial as an adult. Defendant Nickalas Kedrowitz, Osgood, was charged with two counts of murder of his 2-year-old sister and 11-month-old brother.
In an affidavit, submitted by Indiana State Police detectives, its states that Kedrowitz waited over a month after the first killing before committing the second. It continues by stating Kedrowitz committed both murders by placing a towel or blanket over the noses and mouths of the children to stop their breathing. Autopsies performed by the Hamilton County Coroner ruled both deaths as “Homicide”.
After being charged as a juvenile, Kedrowitz’s attorneys argued he was incompetent to stand trial. To determine whether a defendant is competent, Indiana law requires a judge to determine whether a defendant understands the nature of the proceedings and can assist in his own defense. A judge determined Kedrowitz competent after several days of testimony from multiple psychologists who evaluated Kedrowitz. Based on this testimony, the judge ruled that Kedrowitz clearly understood the proceedings and was assisting in his defense, based on his statements and behavior during the evaluations.
The court found that Ripley County Prosecutors successfully proved that Kedrowitz should be waived from juvenile court and tried as an adult. Indiana law permits juvenile defendants as young as 12 to be tried as adults in murder cases. At the waiver hearing, prosecutors proved there was probable cause to believe that Kedrowitz committed both murders and that Kedrowitz was 13 at the time of the allegations. After the prosecution proved their case, Kedrowitz’s defense team tried to persuade the judge that it was in the best interest of both Kedrowitz and the safety and welfare of the community for Kedrowitz to remain in the juvenile justice system. Prosecutors responded by admitting evidence that Kedrowitz has allegedly also mutilated small animals, and made threats to a classmate and teacher even after Kedrowitz was alleged to commit the murders. Prosecutors argued that those additional facts demonstrated Kedrowitz’s continued danger to the community.
