MUNCIE, Ind. — A murder case involving an Indiana teen has been waived into adult court.
An order issued by a juvenile court magistrate will force 15-year-old Mason Peterson to face the following charges as an adult:
- Murder (murder is in its own felony category in Indiana)
- Reckless homicide — a Level 5 Felony
- Theft — a Level 5 Felony
- Pointing a firearm — a Level 6 Felony
- Dangerous possession of a firearm — a Class A Misdemeanor
According to the magistrate’s order, Peterson meets the criterion to be charged as an adult for the following reasons:
- Some of the charges Peterson faces are considered felonies when committed by adults
- There is probable cause to believe Peterson has committed the alleged crimes
- Peterson was at least 12 years of age at the time he allegedly committed the crimes
- Peterson is beyond rehabilitation in the juvenile justice system
- It is in the best interests of the safety and welfare of the community that Peterson stand trial as an adult
The magistrate’s order also cites testimony from a Delaware County juvenile probation officer assigned to Peterson’s case. During his testimony, that officer indicated that Indiana’s juvenile correctional facilities are unlikely to accept Peterson for rehabilitative placement because the Indiana Department of Correction’s division of youth services is not set up to provide long-term psychological and psychiatric counseling and treatment.
Previous reporting indicates Peterson’s charges are tied to an incident in which a 14-year-old girl was shot and killed. According to the Muncie Police Department, that incident occurred in the 400 block of East Gilbert Street on Sept. 18.
Magistrate’s order reveals new details on shooting
Per the magistrate’s order, investigators believe Peterson shot the 14-year-old girl while she was lying in her bed. The order indicates that Peterson allegedly shot the girl in the head at point-blank range.
The order goes on to indicate that Peterson attempted to call 911 after the shooting. During the call, Peterson appeared to be distraught and crying.
The State of Indiana alleges that Peterson knew the girl prior to the shooting. Investigators also believe the teal-colored SCCY 9mm handgun Peterson allegedly used during the shooting had been reported stolen on Sept. 7 from an address near scene of the Sept. 18 shooting.
According to the magistrate’s order, police also believe Peterson had expressed an “inappropriate interest” in firearms prior to the shooting. Peterson had even asked for a gun for his birthday, even though he was well under the age in which it is legal to possess such a weapon in Indiana.
The magistrate’s order mentions that “considerable weight” was given to Peterson’s known “infatuation” with guns. Per the magistrate’s order, police also found seven videos that showed Peterson handling the alleged murder weapon on Sept. 8 and 10. Those videos, according to investigators, demonstrate that Peterson is “comfortable handling the handgun, is aware of the safety protocol of keeping his index finger positioned away from the trigger, and has clear experience loading and unloading the firearm.”
Court records also indicate that the videos show Peterson easily loading and unloading the weapon. He also allegedly checked the chamber to determine whether a live round was present.
At the scene of the alleged crime, seven bullets were found in the alleged murder weapon’s magazine. A bullet was also found in the gun’s chamber. Investigators found a live round of ammunition in the shooting victim’s bed and a spent shell casing in the bedroom.
The magistrate’s order also indicates Peterson has a history of defiance. An analysis of Peterson’s phone showed that he routinely ignored his parents’ wishes.
Peterson also failed to regularly attend his high school classes. Per the magistrate’s order, when Peterson did make it to class, he was often tardy or refused to do his school work.
The magistrate’s order does indicate that, prior to the September shooting, Peterson had not had any involvement with Delaware County’s juvenile justice system. Indiana’s juvenile court system conducted a records check in a state Peterson previously lived in. That check did not show that he had been involved with the juvenile justice system in the state he previously resided in.
Indiana’s court reporting system has not yet been updated to reflect that Peterson’s case is being tried in adult court. For that reason, it is currently unknown exactly when Peterson is slated to appear in court yet.
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