Court OKs adult status for teen in family slayings

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals says one of two teenage brothers accused in the stabbing deaths of their parents and three siblings should be tried as an adult, despite his age.

The court on Thursday upheld a ruling by a Tulsa County judge who denied Michael Bever’s request to be tried as a youthful offender.

Bever and his 19-year-old brother, Robert Bever, are charged in Tulsa County with five counts of first-degree murder in the July attack that killed their parents and siblings, the youngest of whom was 5.

Michael Bever, who was 16 at the time of the deaths, challenged the ruling that rejected defense attorneys’ request that he be certified as a youthful offender.

A preliminary hearing for the brothers is set for Feb. 23.