Torres transferred to juvenile jail facility following judge’s order

SHERIDAN (WNE) — Christian Torres, a 15-year-old accused of first-degree — or premeditated — murder of his adoptive father, has been transferred to a juvenile detention facility to await trial this fall, 9th Judicial District Court Judge Melissa Owens ordered Wednesday, May 25. 
“The court finds it necessary to immediately intervene for the safety and the well-being of the minor defendant…” Owens wrote. 
Owens is overseeing Torres’ criminal trial because 4th Judicial District Court Judge Darci Phillips recused herself from the case.
During a hearing on the defendant’s request to be rehoused in a juvenile facility, Torres’ defense team, attorneys Jonathan Foreman and Anna Malmberg, presented evidence indicating Torres was physically and sexually harassed while in custody at the Sheridan County Detention Center. 
Foreman argued Owens’ authority to order Torres be housed in another facility pursuant to Wyoming’s Title 14, which governs the juvenile justice proceedings in the state. Just because Torres is charged as an adult in this case does not mean Title 14 — which guarantees juveniles special protections under the law — is inapplicable, Foreman argued. 
Foreman also indicated there may be civil remedies available under the Prison Rape Elimination Act, a federal law that prohibits juveniles from being housed within sight, sound or touch of adult inmates, or the 14th Amendment. 
Deputy Sheridan County and Prosecuting Attorney Christopher LaRosa responded Title 14 is irrelevant because Torres is charged as an adult. 
“He’s not a juvenile under the law,” LaRosa argued. “He’s charged as an adult.”  
LaRosa argued there was no state or federal statute that granted the judge authority to dictate Torres be removed from the Sheridan County Sheriff Office’s custody and housed in a juvenile facility elsewhere. 
 
 
This story was published on May 27, 2022.