SAN ANTONIO – Patricia Ennis was 14 years old when she was charged with murder in the death of her stepfather, 53-year-old Ray Alan Hardy.
Now 15, Ennis is facing a murder charge in adult court and could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Her case raises a question many people may have: How does a child end up facing a criminal case as an adult?
Ennis claims self-defense
Ennis’ defense says the circumstances surrounding Hardy’s death go beyond the murder allegation.
Her attorney told jurors that Ennis felt she was in danger and was trying to protect herself from abuse.
During the trial, her attorney read a statement attributed to Ennis: “I couldn’t go to that house and get hurt again.”
The defense’s self-defense claim is being presented as the case moves through the adult criminal justice system.
How can a juvenile be tried as an adult?
In Texas, juveniles accused of certain serious offenses can be transferred from the juvenile justice system to adult court through a process known as certification.
The case begins with an alleged offense committed while the person is a juvenile. The state can then seek to have the case handled in adult court.
A certification hearing is held, and a judge makes the decision about whether the juvenile should remain under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court or be transferred to adult court.
Juvenile District Court Judge William “Cruz” Shaw said the process is not common.
“Once the court waives that jurisdiction, now it’s 100% adult,” Shaw said.
That means the defendant is subject to the adult criminal court process rather than the juvenile system.
Age matters
Not every juvenile can be certified as an adult.
Texas law sets minimum ages based on the level of the felony involved. For certain first-degree felony offenses, a juvenile can be certified for adult prosecution beginning at age 14. For certain second-degree felony offenses, the minimum age is 15.
Shaw said the court considers several factors during the certification process, including the juvenile’s age and whether the juvenile system can provide appropriate services.
“They have to prove that there’s a certain age, they have to prove that the child understood what they were doing, they have to prove their probation can’t provide the services,” Shaw said.
What happens if a juvenile is convicted in adult court?
If a juvenile is convicted after being certified as an adult, the person can be sentenced through the adult criminal justice system.
Shaw said young offenders in adult prisons can be housed separately from the general adult population.
“Most prisons, adult prisons, have a small section specifically for children,” Shaw said.
Ennis faces up to life in prison if convicted in Hardy’s death.
Why juvenile certification matters
Shaw said cases involving juveniles accused of serious crimes are something the community should pay attention to because the defendants are still young people, even when their cases are handled in adult court.
“They’re serious crimes and they’re kids in our communities, the kids that go to our kids’ schools, they are our nieces, our nephews, we have to be engaged,” Shaw said.
Ennis’ trial is ongoing. A jury has yet to deliberate a verdict.
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