Pensacola 14-year-old charged with 15-year-old's murder will be tried as adult
The Pensacola 14-year-old charged with fatally shooting another teen had his case transferred to adult court Tuesday morning.
Remington Crumbs is charged with second-degree murder with a firearm after he allegedly fatally shot 15-year-old Demarco Banks on the 2800 block of North 9th Avenue Friday. Pensacola police arrived on scene and found the teen with a single gunshot wound.
"Officers performed CPR until the fire department and EMS arrived," a PPD release says. "The victim was taken to a local hospital where he did succumb to his (injuries)."
Officers found Crumbs later that night at an apartment complex along with 19-year-old Rumariya Union, who was charged with accessory after the fact.
As Crumbs' case was transferred from juvenile court, he faces a life sentence. However, it's possible he may not serve life even if he's convicted.
Teen homicide: Pensacola police arrest 14-year-old for homicide after finding juvenile fatally shot
In June 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Miller v. Alabama, a case where two 14-year-olds were sentenced to life without parole for murder charges. In a 5-4 vote, the Court sided with petitioner Evan Miller, saying the Eighth Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment forbids a mandatory life sentence without considering their age.
Justice Elena Kagan delivered the opinion, saying Alabama's state law prevented a judge or jury from considering a juvenile's lessened culpability and greater capacity for change.
According to data in the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice Delinquency Profile Dashboard, 275 cases involving juveniles have been transferred to adult court between fiscal year 2018-19 and fiscal year 2022-23. In the same timeframe, there have been 13 instances of a juvenile being arrested for murder or manslaughter, according to the data.
Crumbs' next court date has not been issued, according to court records. Union remains in Escambia County Jail on $10,000 bond.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola teen Remington Crumbs tried as adult for Demarco Banks death
