Frederick, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, a 16-year-old Respondent faced a disposition hearing after pleading guilty to 2^nd Degree Assault in July in connection with the September 2019 attack of John Weed at the Great Frederick Fair. The disposition hearing was closed to the public by order of Judge Julie Solt at the request of the defense. As in all juvenile proceedings, the Judge has the discretion to close the courtroom. The State and victim’s family asked that the Respondent be committed and placed in a juvenile treatment program.  Today, Judge Solt ordered that the Respondent be placed on probation with conditions including anger management.   The Judge scheduled a further disposition hearing this Fall during which he could be removed from the community and placed in a juvenile facility at that time if he is not compliant.

On the evening of September 20^th, 2019, John Weed was enjoying a family night at the fair when he was approached by the 16-year-old juvenile male, his 15-year-old brother, and a couple of their friends.  The 15-year-old teen and another youth asked Mr. Weed for money.  Mr. Weed said “no”.  The youth kept pursuing Mr. Weed, despite family members begging the youth to leave him alone. The respondent pursued the victim, punching him in the back of the head. As Mr. Weed squared up with the respondent, his 15-year-old brother came running from a distance and punched Mr. Weed with such force that photos indicated he likely lost consciousness almost immediately. As Mr. Weed laid unconscious on the ground, the respondent spat on him. Mr. Weed ultimately died of his injuries the next day at Shock Trauma in Baltimore.

The 15-year-old co-respondent in this case pled guilty to manslaughter on April 29, 2020. On May 15^th, Judge William R. Nicklas Jr. followed the State’s recommendation that the respondent be placed in a long-term behavioral modification program.

The family of John Weed attended this morning’s hearing. They have appeared regularly for all of the hearings since the teens arrest in September 2019. Weed’s family supported placement in an appropriate juvenile treatment program for both respondents.

The State was represented by Chief Assistant State’s Attorneys Laura Wilt and Rebecca Clinton.

########