Bakersfield boy, 13, accused of murder is set for jurisdictional hearing
Dec 13, 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- A 13-year-old boy charged with murder in the death of a 45-year-old man has a hearing scheduled next month at which a judge will determine whether the allegations against him are true.
Judge Marcus Cuper on Friday confirmed the date of the jurisdictional hearing for Dylan Fermin Flores. The hearing is essentially a trial. There are no juries in juvenile court.
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If the allegations are found to be true, the judge, after considering a number of factors including past criminal history and how best to protect the community, will decide what to do with Flores -- including how long he'll be kept in a locked facility.
Flores and Lance Burnett, 18, were arrested in the Oct. 27 shooting death of Ryan Dwayne Kephart in a large field near South Washington Street and East Belle Terrace.
Police said the teens started a fight with Kephart, who was homeless. Kephart defended himself with a tree branch.
Burnett went home and retrieved a gun while Flores, armed with a knife, made sure Kephart didn't leave, according to court documents.
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Kephart tried to run, but they chased him and Burnett fired several times, killing him, Flores told police.
Flores shared with police a video he took on his cellphone. It shows Kephart lying facedown in the field while Flores holds a knife and yells that they just killed him, according to the reports.
Burnett is charged with first-degree murder and has a preliminary hearing scheduled Jan. 30 in Superior Court. He faces a life term in prison if convicted.