Juvenile to be tried in adult court

A 15-year-old boy accused in a violent residential burglary and in the assault of a staff member at the Clark County Juvenile Detention Center during an escape attempt will be tried in adult court, a Clark County judge ruled Thursday.

Roy James Thompson Jr., along with a co-defendant, is accused of breaking into an east Vancouver home in April and assaulting and robbing a 65-year-old woman. He faces allegations of first-degree assault, robbery, burglary and kidnapping in that case. The co-defendant, Vincent R. Burnett, 29, faces allegations of second-degree attempted murder, first-degree burglary, robbery, kidnapping and assault, and possession of methamphetamine.

Additionally, Thompson faces allegations of second-degree assault, custodial assault and second-degree attempted escape, stemming from the May 9 incident at the juvenile center. A juvenile co-defendant in that case has already been sentenced.

During Thursday’s hearing, Judge Gregory Gonzales explained his findings on each Kent criteria, factors that determine whether a juvenile court should decline jurisdiction. He ultimately found both acts appeared to be premeditated and violent. He said there was no indication Thompson would utilize any juvenile treatment programs because he hadn’t in the past. Thompson has a record in Cowlitz County.

Gonzales said it doesn’t appear Thompson is remorseful for his actions. The teen reportedly has ties to a gang and sought out members in Clark County, he said.

“His emotional attitude is not of a typical 15-year-old; it’s the emotional attitude of a gang member,” Gonzales said.

It’s possible that Thompson’s two cases will be severed and only the residential burglary will be tried in adult court, Gonzales said.

Although Thompson will be tried in adult court, he will continue to be held at the juvenile detention center.