Teen charged with murder, assault

<p>A 16-year-old boy was formally charged in adult court Monday with murder and assault in connection with a fatal stabbing in downtown Petaluma.</p><p>Gibb Theopolis Olivarez of Santa Rosa made his first appearance in Superior Court, but delayed entering a plea.</p><p>Olivarez is being treated as an adult in the fatal stabbing of Nathanial Reifers, 31, and wounding of Salvatore Cucci Jr., 23, of Petaluma on Dec. 17.</p><p>A Juvenile Court judge ruled last week the case should go to adult court because of the serious nature of the charges.</p><p>Investigators said Olivarez stabbed Cucci after he refused to buy him alcohol at a bar along Petaluma's waterfront. A group of five to 15 men, including Reifers, pursued Olivarez.</p><p>In a second confrontation, Reifers was stabbed several times. Members of the pursuing group also apparently beat, kicked and stabbed Olivarez, according to testimony.</p><p>No knives were found and no one has been arrested in the Olivarez assault. A friend of Reifers' has been given immunity for his testimony against Olivarez.</p><p>Olivarez will continue to be held without bail at Los Guilucos Juvenile Justice Center.</p><p>Judge Ken Gnoss set a hearing for July 26 at which Olivarez may enter a plea.</p>