His attorney wanted the case to go to Juvenile Court.
Frederick, Md (KM) A teenager charged with trying to kill another teen last year will stand trial as an adult. Frederick County Circuit Court Judge Scott Rolle ruled on Friday that Edwin Boj, 18, of Frederick, should be tried in Circuit Court, and not Juvenile Court.
Edwin Boj, and his brother, Brandon, were arrested last year for for 1st-degree assault, conspiracy to commit 1st-degree assault, 2nd-degree assault and participating in a criminal gang. Edwin Boj is charged separately with attempted 1st-degree murder, another count of 2nd-degree assault, the use of a firearm in a violent crime, wearing and carrying a handgun without a license and possession of a firearm by a minor.
On February 10th, 2017, police say the two brothers confronted a third teen as he was getting off of a bus at a stop on Key Parkway.. Authorities say Edwin Boj pointed a handgun at the other youth, and his brother, Brandon, went behind the victim with a machete and held it to his neck. A struggled ensued. Edwin Boj dropped the gun to help his brother. They beat the third teen with kicks and punches. The fight was broken up by a relative of the victim.
“We believe it was an association with the MS 13 gang,” says State’s Attorney Charlie Smith. “He was trying to kill an 18th Street guy who was getting off of a bus, of all things. He and his brother.” The 18th Street gang is based in Fredeeick and is a rival to MS-13.
Judge Rolle made his ruling on Friday following three days of testimony during a transfer hearing last week. He said the State presented “a mountain of evidence that he {Edwin Boj} is a member of MS-13 and wants people to believe he is a member of MS-13.” The nature of the offenses and the defendant’s lack of remorse were also cited in the ruling, according to the State’s Attorney’s Office.
Smith says Juvenile Court places an emphasis on rehabilitation, but a trial in Circuit Court results in punishment if a defendant is convicted. “We thought that Edwin Boj, who is now 18, and a member of gang and who obviously tried to kill someone is, our opinion, is not subject to rehabilitation,” he says.
Edwin Boj is scheduled to go on trial for attempted murder and related offenses on June 12th-14th. He also expected to go on trial for armed robbery and related charges on August 21st-22nd.
By Kevin McManus