MORE: Records: Teen charged in Hamilton murder has been incarcerated 3 times before
Walker, 19, was shot point-blank just after 9 p.m. on June 27 in the 400 block of East Avenue. Hamilton police say the teen had a firearm and shot Walker several times then concealed the weapon in his clothing and put it in a sewer in the area of 604 High Street.
The incident was caught on video, and a witness identified the teen as the “shooter,” according to court documents.
Because of the seriousness of the crime and Smith’s age, the case was a mandatory bind-over to adult court if probable cause was found by county Juvenile Court Judge Ronald Craft. That happened in August after Smith waived his right to a probable cause hearing.
At that time, Craft also ordered Smith be moved from the county Juvenile Detention Center to the Butler County Jail because “there is great concern about his conduct while at JDC.”
Smith was arrested July 11, and the judge said that during his time at the detention center the teen was involved in a fight and made inappropriate comments to staff.
MORE: Probable cause hearing set for teen charged with Hamilton homicide
During Monday’s brief pre-trial hearing, Common Pleas Judge Greg Stephens set Feb. 24 for Smith’s trial. He is scheduled to be back in court in January for a motion hearing. Bond was set by the judge during a previous arraignment hearing at $2 million.
Documents filed by the prosecution on Oct. 2 included more than 30 pieces of evidence, according to court documents.
Evidence includes 18 videos from various residences and businesses, five search warrants, photos of recovered firearms and clothing, and audio recording of the defendant’s statement.
Smith was incarcerated in the Juvenile Detention Center three times previously, according to juvenile court records.
MORE: Emotions run high after teen’s court hearing on murder charge
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