SANTA CRUZ, Calif. (AP) — A teenage boy accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old neighbor appeared in court briefly Thursday as flags around this small California town flew at half-staff in honor of the girl.
Adrian Jerry Gonzalez, his hands shackled in front of him, did not enter a plea. The 15-year-old’s arraignment was postponed until Sept. 21, most likely to give the defense more time to build a case, said Santa Cruz District Attorney spokesman Paul Mangasarian.
Gonzalez is being tried as an adult on murder, kidnapping and rape charges.
Larry Biggam of the Santa Cruz public defender’s office was appointed as the teen’s lawyer.