Puyallup Teen Charged in Attempted Murder and Rape of 7-Year-Old Neighbor

Today’s arraignment of a 14-year-old Puyallup boy packed the Remann Hall Courtroom with supporters and media as charges were read against him.

The teen, M.C.E., pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree attempted murder, first-degree rape, first-degree rape of a child and first-degree kidnapping.

The Pierce County Prosecutor's Office also filed a motion to have M.C.E.'s case moved out of Juvenile Court and have him prosecuted as an adult. 

"Rarely do we ask the court to treat a 14-year-old offender as an adult,” said Prosecutor Mark Lindquist, “but this is one of those few cases where the severity of the offense and the safety of our community call out for adult-sized accountability.”

If the defendant were prosecuted as a juvenile, he would be facing a maximum sentence of six-and-a-half years.  If prosecuted as an adult, he could be facing a sentence of 30 years or more.

A state hearing that will determine which court will hear his trial is scheduled for the end of July.

Read more about the case on Puyallup Patch.