CLARKSDALE, MS (abc24.com) - A Clarksdale teen charged with attacking an elderly woman will be tried as an adult. A judge ordered the 14-year-old be transferred from juvenile detention center to county prison Thursday. The teen's family can't believe it, saying cops arrested the wrong person and several witnesses can prove it.
Roslyn Blanch is worried sick over her son's arrest. "I believe he's being railroaded," she said, "It's a bunch of mess."
The teen, whose name hasn't been released, is charged with attacking 77-year-old Shirley Gordon in her driveway mid- August. Gordon was hit in the face with a brick and robbed.
"At my age I'm going to have this black and blue for rest of my life," Gordon said.
The teen was recorded on camera at a nearby gas station right before the attack. Gordon lives just a few feet down the road. Gordon identified the teen, saying she could "never forget his face."
Blanch said, "The only thing he's guilty of is being at Double Quick, that's the only thing they've got.
Family members say several witnesses told a court the teen was at a school football event when the attack happened. They say statements made by coaches, friends and other parents are being ignored.
"I know he didn't do this because all these eyewitnesses aren't going to put him theyself on line, saying he did nothing and these people don't know him," Blanch said.
His mom says he's been in trouble before, but "not like this." She's outraged the judge ruled her son be tried as an adult and sent to county prison.
Captain Robbie Linley with the Clarksdale Police Department said, "All I can say to that is there was evidence the judge saw that made him feel there was enough to go forward," adding police are convinced they have the right guy.
The teen's bond is set at $115,000. If convicted he faces up to 50 years in prison.
The case goes before a grand jury in December. Blanch is trying to get the bond lowered and her son out of jail before then.
