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Thursday, August 22, 2013
A 15-year-old Ragland boy was certified to stand trial as an adult Wednesday for the 2012 capital murder of his half-sister.
St. Clair County District Court Judge Alan Furr issued an order saying the state can try John Dillon Salers as an adult.
Salers, who was transferred from a juvenile facility, Coosa Valley Detention in Anniston, to the St. Clair County Jail in Ashville on Wednesday, is charged with the capital murder of his half sister, Katelynn Arnold, 9, of Ragland.
Salers, who was 14 at the time of the girl’s death, is being held without bond.
Authorities allege Salers hanged his half-sister with a rope, Thursday, May 10, 2012, at the Ragland home of his aunt and uncle. The children were living with the couple at the time of the alleged murder.
According to previous reports, the girl was discovered hanging from a tree in the yard at about 8 p.m.
St. Clair County Coroner Dennis Russell said Arnold was pronounced dead at St. Vincent’s St. Clair Hospital, and the cause of death was determined as “ligature strangulation.”
Authorities charged Salers with the murder the following day.
“It was an intentional situation, according to the information we’ve received,” Sheriff Terry Surles said at the time of Salers’ detention. “That’s why he’s charged with murder.”
A hearing was held this week to determine whether Salers would be tried as an adult.
“After the certification hearing, District Court Judge Alan Furr certified Salers as an adult,” District Attorney Richard Minor said. “The case will now be presented to a grand jury.”
Minor said Wednesday the state will present its case against Salers to a grand jury as a capital murder case because the victim was younger than 14.
The next Northern Division grand jury is expected to convene in October.
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Keywords: Ragland Al., 2012 capital murder ,John Dillon Salers ,Coosa Valley Detention in Anniston Al.,St. Clair County Jail,ligature strangulation,
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