Montgomery County prosecutors are considering whether to pursue determinate sentencing against a 16-year-old Grand Oaks High School student accused of stabbing a classmate. The hybrid juvenile-adult option could result in a sentence of up to 40 years, depending on the severity of the injuries and other factors.
The Montgomery County Attorney’s Office is evaluating the possibility of seeking adult-level penalties for a 16-year-old student from Grand Oaks High School, who is accused of stabbing a classmate during an altercation on February 2.
Prosecutors have announced their intention to file a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a student, whose identity remains undisclosed due to his status as a minor. The office is considering pursuing determinate sentencing, a hybrid process that combines the juvenile and adult systems, specifically for serious offenses.
In Texas, determinate sentencing enables prosecutors to pursue grand jury approval for serious offenses, including murder, aggravated assault, and sexual assault. If approved, a juvenile could begin serving time in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, with the possibility of transfer to an adult prison facility. Prison sentences may reach a maximum duration of 40 years.
Stuart Hughes, Assistant County Attorney, stated that the option is still being evaluated.
“I can confirm that it is an issue we will be examining,” Hughes stated. Officials have stated, “This is a very serious offense, and we are considering the determinate sentencing option.”
Hughes announced that his office plans to engage with the victim’s family prior to reaching a conclusive decision. Prosecutors are currently in the process of obtaining medical records to evaluate the severity of the victim's injuries. According to him, significant factors encompass the type of weapon utilized and the severity of the injuries sustained.
“All factors will be taken into account as we determine the next steps in the case,” Hughes stated.
Conroe Police Chief Matt Blakelock released a statement on February 2 accusing a student of stabbing a classmate three times. A nearby hospital treated the injured student for non-life-threatening injuries. After the incident, officials reported that the individual fled the campus, but law enforcement later apprehended him.
In a troubling trend, this incident is part of a series of school-related stabbings that have occurred in the region. In December, authorities charged 18-year-old Aundre Matthews with murder following an incident at Sterling High School in Goose Creek CISD, where he allegedly fatally stabbed 16-year-old Andrew Meismer. A judge ruled against granting bail for Matthews in January.
Conroe ISD has reported several on-campus altercations in 2023, notably a locker-room fight at College Park High School that led to minor injuries. Jose Antonio Rodriguez has been convicted of assault causing bodily injury and has been sentenced to 30 days in jail. Last year, separate stabbing incidents occurred at Oak Ridge High School and within the Splendora Independent School District. However, the outcomes of these cases remain undisclosed at this time.
Prosecutors have yet to disclose a timeline for their final decision regarding the Grand Oaks case.
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