Greenfield juvenile to be tried as an adult

A Greenfield juvenile has been charged as an adult and indicted on a one count of aggravated robbery, stemming from a March incident in which the teenager allegedly robbed a Greenfield gas station at knifepoint. 

A grand jury in Highland  County Common Pleas Court has indicted Richard Washburn, 17, of Greenfield, on one count of aggravated robbery, a felony of the first degree. 

According to an entry ordering the transfer of the case from juvenile court to the common pleas court general division, the State of Ohio filed a complaint alleging Washburn committed an offense "that would be a felony if committed by an adult."

Washburn is represented by attorney David Pence, and the state was represented by assistant Highland Count prosecutor Anneka Collins. 

"The State has established probable cause to believe that on or about March 6, 2010, Richard Washburn, date of birth Feb. 3, 1993, held a knife to the throat of an employee of the Judge Petro Gas Station in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio, demanded and received money in the amount of $140 from said employee," according to the entry. 

The court found that "the victim of the offense has suffered psychological harm as a result of the alleged act," and "the previous sanctions and programs afforded the juvenile within the juvenile system indicate rehabilitation of the child will not occur in the juvenile system," and "there is not sufficient time to rehabilitate the child within the juvenile system."

A mental health evaluation was conducted by Dr. Ralph Skillings, according to court documents, and he "made the following findings/conclusions which favor transfer to the adult system and which the court gives great weight: a. the juvenile has several risk factors likely to result in emotional problems later in life. Those factors are parental absence, indifference, domestic violence, abuse and legal problems. b. Sexual abuse victimization and perpetration against younger family members. c. Frequent consumption of alcohol and marijuana. d. a history of poor impulsive judgment. e. Two commitments to the Ohio Department of Youth Services were ineffective to modify serious legal acts. f. He appears to enjoy unpredictable conduct and impulsive acts as a method of seeking respect. g. Further psychological treatment is unlikely to result in fundamental behavior change."

Washburn's case was transferred to the general division, bond was set at $50,000, and he was transfered to the custody of the Highland County Sheriff.