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A planned plea agreement has fallen through in the attempted murder case involving Augusta County teen Kayden Antonio Wallace. The 17-year-old, who is being prosecuted as an adult, will now stand trial before a jury on charges that he stabbed a 35-year-old man ten times in June.
According to the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to a bus stop on Bobby’s Way in Staunton on June 15, where they found a man suffering severe wounds to his neck, back, and sides. Court filings describe the attack as sudden and violent. Wallace, who turns 18 on November 28, will be moved from juvenile detention to the Rockingham-Harrisonburg Regional Jail once he reaches adulthood.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Tim Martin said he knows some community members may disagree with trying a juvenile as an adult but emphasized that public safety guides their decisions. Without referencing the case directly, he explained that prosecutors sometimes certify cases to circuit court when they believe a young defendant poses a significant risk.
Martin also noted that juvenile court lacks certain sentencing options, and that more serious cases may require longer periods of incarceration to ensure community protection. He added that there’s no evidence of an ongoing threat but said the office is obligated to take every step necessary to safeguard the public.
He stressed that prosecutors aim to keep minors in juvenile court whenever possible but said the law permits certification to adult court when charges are severe and the circumstances warrant it.
SOURCE: WHSV3