17-year-old accused of Reedley murders appears in juvenile court

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Just days after the murders of four family members in Reedley, the teenage suspect appeared in court at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Campus Thursday afternoon.

At just 17 years old, he now faces four counts of homicide. Action News cannot show or name him due to his age.

Authorities say the teen lived next door to the victims' home with his mom, 34-year-old Brynn Curtis, and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Rafael Gonzalez.

Officers found the body of one of the victims in a garage on their property, and prosecutors charged the adults as accessories. They're out on bond and will be in court later this month.

Curtis sat just feet away from her son as he appeared before Judge Virna Santos for a detention hearing after the Fresno County District Attorney's Office filed what's called a juvenile petition.

The hearing only lasted about five minutes, and Judge Santos ultimately determined the teen would stay in juvenile hall as his case worked through the court system.

He could eventually face proceedings similar to an adult criminal trial. And if the judge finds the juvenile court has the authority to keep him in juvenile hall, the teen could only stay there until he's 25.

RELATED: Memorial growing outside Reedley home where 4 homicide victims lived

But because he's over the age of 16, prosecutors have filed a five-page request to charge the minor as an adult.

"A hearing will be held to determine whether or not his character and what he's done in this particular case is enough to consider him for the superior court," said ABC30 Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi.

If the DA pursues adult charges, and if the judge grants the request to transfer the case to the criminal court downtown, it could have a significant impact on a possible sentence.

"Now, if it's transferred to the superior court, it's now a criminal proceeding, and he'll be entitled to a jury trial, a court trial if he wants," explained Capozzi. "But when you get into the superior court, it's another ball game."

Moving the case to criminal court could also provide many answers to family members and the community.

The case wouldn't be under seal, and details about the Reedley killings could come to light during open hearings.

The teen's mother, 34-year-old Brynn Curtis and her boyfriend, 21-year-old Rafael Gonzalez, were arrested on charges of accessory after the fact.

They have both been released from jail on bond and are set to appear in court later this month.

During a search of the suspect's home, investigators found property belonging to one of the victims.

Police believe those items could be a motive for the murders.

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