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Published on 03/15/1999 All articles from this issue

As youth or adult? How teen will be tried remains unresolved in stabbing case

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By Joanne Griffith Domingue / Town Crier Staff Writer

The court may have decided during a hearing scheduled for this past Monday if a Los Altos teen, charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing his father, will be tried as a juvenile or an adult.

"The factors are numerous," said David Soares, a Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney. "We're evaluating the evidence. Hopefully we have what we need to go forward," Soares said.

"The main thing" in determining if a youth should be tried as a juvenile or an adult, Soares said, is the question of "future danger, the psychological issues" involved.

Stephen A. Diamond, a clinical psychologist with a longtime Los Altos practice who also works as a forensic psychologist for the Santa Clara County Superior Court, said the court would want to know about the teen's social history, how he did in school and his grades.

Diamond, who holds a doctorate degree and is an expert on anger, said the court would also want to know about "any substance abuse. That would be part of the picture." There would also be a history of the teen's "impulsive/aggressive behavior," Diamond said.

"All these are important elements of the picture," he said. Diamond has no connection to this case.

Soares, when asked if the charge might be changed to assault, said it "could be changed to anything."

The youth remains in custody at juvenile hall in San Jose, said Sgt. Mark Macaulay, a Los Altos Police officer.

When Los Altos Police responded to an early morning call Dec. 26, 1998, they found a man bleeding who had been stabbed several times while sleeping, police said.

After investigating, police arrested the man's 16-year-old son on charges of attempted murder and took the youth into custody.

Following the incident, the 52-year-old father was treated at Stanford Hospital.

He was released and attended his son's detention hearing Dec. 30, 1998, authorities said.

Neighbors, who said the family "kept pretty much to themselves," were shocked when they heard of the stabbing.