9 YO Elizabeth Olten, Alyssa Bustamante to be tried as Adult

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Hearing set in teen girl's murder case

Posted: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 8:20 am

JEFFERSON CITY -- Attorneys are scheduled to be back in a mid-Missouri courtroom for the case of a teenager accused of killing her 9-year-old neighbor last October.

A hearing is scheduled Tuesday afternoon for an update on the status of the trial for 16-year-old Alyssa Bustamante, charged as an adult with first-degree murder for the killing of Elizabeth Olten.

Bustamante has pleaded not guilty and is in jail without bond.

Authorities say Bustamante dug two holes several days before the slaying and confessed to police that she killed Elizabeth because she wanted to know what it was like to kill someone.

Law officers say that Bustamante led them to Elizabeth's body in a wooded area west of Jefferson City.
_________________
"Sell Crazy Someplace Else. We're all stocked up here."

Line from the movie As Good As It Gets

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Trial Date Set in Bustamante Case


Published: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 4:03 PM CDT

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A central Missouri teenager accused of killing her 9-year-old neighbor is scheduled to go on trial next spring.

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce on Tuesday set a May 16 trial for 16-year-old Alyssa Bustamante, who is charged as an adult with first-degree murder for the killing of Elizabeth Olten last fall in a rural area just west of Jefferson City.

Authorities say Bustamante dug two holes several days before the slaying and confessed to police that she killed Elizabeth because she wanted to know what it was like to kill someone. Law officers say Bustamante led them to Elizabeth’s body in a wooded area in their neighborhood in St. Martins.

Bustamante, who has pleaded not guilty, did not attend Tuesday’s hearing. Several people wore white T-shirts that read “Justice for Elizabeth.”

The judge also heard testimony Tuesday over whether Bustamante, who was a 15-year-old high school sophomore when she was arrested, should continue to receive an education. She is being held in jail without bond.

Joyce denied a request in May from Bustamante’s attorneys that the Cole County Sheriff’s Office pay for Bustamante to continue her education through a distance learning program. Defense attorneys on Tuesday offered additional information and took testimony from a Jefferson City public schools official and Cole County Sheriff Greg White.

White said Bustamante is being treated the same as other inmates and that he does not believe state law requires sheriffs to provide a public education. He said Bustamante has access to a book for a high school equivalency program.

Joyce said at the conclusion of the hearing that her opinion has not changed.

The next court hearing is scheduled for Oct. 19.
_________________
"Sell Crazy Someplace Else. We're all stocked up here."

Line from the movie As Good As It Gets

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Mo. teen murder suspect can't continue education

Associated Press - August 23, 2010 4:14 PM ET

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - A Missouri judge has again denied a request to let a teenager accused of killing a 9-year-old neighbor continue her education while awaiting trial.

Sixteen-year-old Alyssa Bustamante is charged as an adult with first-degree murder for last fall's killing of Elizabeth Olten in a rural area west of Jefferson City. Bustamante has pleaded not guilty and is jailed without bond awaiting a trial next spring.

Bustamante was a high school sophomore when she was arrested. Her lawyers sought to compel the Cole County sheriff to provide the resources and opportunity to finish her high school education, including enrollment in a distance learning program.

Cole County Circuit Judge Patricia Joyce on Monday denied the request. Authorities say Bustaante has the same access to education books as other inmates.

It's the second time Bustamante's request has been turned down.

http://www.koamtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=13030170
_________________
"Sell Crazy Someplace Else. We're all stocked up here."

Line from the movie As Good As It Gets

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DNA test sought on knife in 9-year-old's death

By Bob Watson
bwatson@newstribune.com
Published: Tuesday, August 31, 2010 12:44 AM CDT
Cole County Prosecutor Mark Richardson wants Circuit Judge Pat Joyce to approve some DNA testing in the Alyssa Bustamante case, even though the Missouri Highway Patrol said its testing would use up the only samples available.

Bustamante, now 16, faces adult charges of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for last October's killing of Elizabeth Olten, 9, a neighbor.

In an Aug. 12 motion just released by the court Monday, Richardson listed three items for DNA testing: a knife blade, a knife handle and jeans.

And the prosecutor wants Joyce to reject Bustamante's public defenders' request to be present as the Patrol criminalists test the samples.

According to the court's online records, Joyce has not ruled on Richardson's motion or the defense request to be present during the testing.

Bustamante's attorneys said Monday that they could not say whether the evidence was taken from their client.

Bustamante has pleaded not guilty. Her trial is set for next May 16, with a jury imported from Greene County to hear the case.
_________________
"Sell Crazy Someplace Else. We're all stocked up here."

Line from the movie As Good As It Gets