Teen Involved in Student Assaults Facing Adult Charges

By Trish Mehaffey, Reporter

Christian Meek, 15, is regaining feeling in his jaw and back in class at Washington High School on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2012, in Cedar Rapids. Christian's jaw was broken when he and other students were attacked last week 20th Street SE while walking home from school. (Liz Martin/The Gazette-KCRG)

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By Kara Kelly

Story Created: Aug 30, 2012 at 3:42 PM CDT

Story Updated: Aug 30, 2012 at 6:20 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa -- A 16-year-old charged as a juvenile this week for his involvement in a severe assault on three other boys will be charged in adult court Friday and a judge will decide whether to try a 15-year-old involved in the incident in adult court.

Linn County Attorney Jerry Vander Sanden said Keenan Baker, 16, of Cedar Rapids will be charged with assault causing serious injury, a class D felony, and his initial appearance is set 10:30 a.m. Friday in Linn County District Court. Baker was previously charged in juvenile court with two charges of assault causing bodily injury but Vander Sanden will file a motion to waive those to adult court and join the felony count.

"Today our office filed a motion to waive jurisdiction of the charges pertaining to Tyress Martin, 15, from juvenile to adult court," Vander Sanden said. "It will be for a judge to decide whether his case stays in juvenile court or is waived to adult court."

Martin is charged with assault causing causing serious injury and two counts of assault causing bodily injury in juvenile court.

According to witnesses and police, four boys were walking home from Washington High School Aug. 21, when they were attacked by two other boys in front of 368 20th St. SE. According to one boy’s mother, one of the assailants yelled “Get off my block,” before her son was punched from behind.

Christian Meek, 15, spent two nights in a hospital for a broken jaw and a severed nerve, his mother said. Another 15-year-old boy had his two front teeth knocked out, but doctors were able to replace them.

Cedar Rapids Police Capt. Steve O’Konek said the attack was unprovoked, but said at least some members of the two groups knew each other from their days at McKinley Middle School.