JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Efforts to get murder charges dismissed against a 12 year old suspect were denied Friday morning by a judge.
Lawyers for Cristian Fernandez say they plan to refile a motion to dismiss murder charges against the boy. They also plan to fight a new indictment on sex charges. Fernandez has now pleaded not guilty to both counts.
Fernandez, who is the youngest person to be tried for first-degree murder in Jacksonville's history, is now accused of sexual battery on a child under 12. The State Attorney's Office says it orginally held off on those charges, because it was in talks with the Public Defender about a plea deal for the boy. Those talks fell through and the State Attorney's Office announced a new indictment for sexual battery Thursday.
Count on Action News for continuing coverage of this case on the air and on the web at ActionNewsJax.com.