The lawyer for a Santa Rosa 15-year-old facing murder charges in a New Year's Eve slaying said Friday he would push to move the case to juvenile court.
Prosecutors announced earlier this month they would try Joseph Mario Varela as an adult in the shooting death of Damien Wadell Toney Jr., 20, at a Piner Road apartment complex.
If convicted, Varela could be sentenced to life in prison.
But his lawyer, Deputy Public Defender Nathan Poulos, said research has proved young people are more impulsive and lack the judgment of adults. He said the juvenile justice system was designed with those "developmental realities" in mind.
"Science has proven juveniles are most capable of change and rehabilitation," Poulos said.
Poulos said he could raise the issue at the next court date on Jan. 27, when Varela is expected to enter a plea.
Juvenile proceedings are typically closed to the public.
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