A Las Vegas judge has rejected a plea agreement that would have seen four teenagers, charged in the fatal beating of 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis, plead guilty to voluntary manslaughter in juvenile court.

Judge Linda Marquis expressed concerns on Monday about the transfer of jurisdiction from Clark County District Court to the juvenile court, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office confirmed. Attorneys have been instructed to address these concerns within the plea agreement, and the case is set to return to court in September.

Treavion Randolph, 16, Dontral Beaver, 16, Damien Hernandez, 18, and Gianni Robinson, 17, were initially charged with second-degree murder as adults. Prosecutors had recently reached a plea deal to move their cases to juvenile court, where they were expected to plead guilty to the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter.

Melissa Ready, Jonathan’s mother, expressed her shock and devastation at the plea deal, stating she was not informed of it beforehand. “You’re just going to get a slap on the wrist,” Ready said. “I’m shocked and devastated. I should have known what was going on.”

The District Attorney’s Office maintains that the information was shared with Ready prior to the hearing, stating that the decision was made after careful consideration of the facts and potential legal challenges. They believe the juvenile court is best equipped to both punish and rehabilitate the defendants.

The case has sparked significant public attention, with many questioning the appropriateness of the plea deal and the handling of the case. The rejection of the plea agreement adds another layer of complexity to this already emotionally charged case.

Source: News3LV