Champaign Co. prosecutors want 8th-grade murder suspect tried as adult

UPDATE @ 2:40 p.m.: Champaign County prosecutors have requested to try the eighth-grader accused of killing his dad's fiancee as an adult.

Prosecutors considered the seriousness of the alleged crimes of Donovan Nicholas, 14, as well as “the deliberate and premeditated nature of the offenses alleged and the available sanctions and penalties available in the juvenile system,” according to a statement from Prosecutor Kevin Talebi.

Talebi also has met with the victim’s family members and deputies, he said.

FIRST REPORT: A Champaign County 14-year-old accused of killing his dad's fiancee and claiming an alternate personality forced him to do it is due back in court today.

Donovan Nicholas has been charged with both murder and aggravated murder in the death of 40-year-old Heidi Fay Taylor, according to the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office.

RELATED: Prosecutor alleges Champaign County 8th grader planned murder

Prosecutors alleged at Nicholas’ first court hearing two weeks ago that the teenager lured Taylor into a vulnerable position before killing her at a home on Valley Pike in Mad River Twp. in Champaign County.

Nicholas in a 9-1-1 call told dispatchers that it was a different personality inside of him named “Jeff” who took control of him and killed Taylor.

DETAILS: 8th grade murder suspect’s revealing 9-1-1 call

Nicholas’s attorney, Darrell Heckman, argued in court that the teen suspect should be released to his father on house arrest because he hasn’t been involved with the courts before and has mental health issues. The judge ruled then that he should remain in detention.

The hearing Wednesday is a pre-trial hearing. Attorneys mentioned the possible need for a evaluation at the first hearing.

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