2nd TEEN PLEADS GUILTY IN 2019 GREAT FREDERICK FAIR ATTACK

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Frederick, MD – This morning in Frederick County Circuit Court, a 16-year-old respondent pled guilty to one count of 2nd Degree Assault in connection with the September 2019 attack of John Weed at the Great Frederick Fair. Judge Julie Stevenson Solt scheduled the Disposition Hearing for August 12th.   At that hearing, the State will ask the Court to commit the youth to a placement with the Department of Juvenile Services.  The State had pursued a waiver to move the 16-year-old’s case to adult court. However, Judge Solt ruled in February that the respondent would remain in the juvenile system.

On the evening of September 20th, 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. During an adjudication hearing May 15th, 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 participated in this morning’s hearing via video conference. 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.

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