A 17-year-old teenager from Texas has been taken into custody for his alleged involvement in the death of a 9-year-old girl last year.
A 17-year-old, whose identity remains undisclosed due to their age, has been extradited from Texas to Mobile, Alabama, on a capital murder charge, according to Tara Zieman of the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office.
A teenager is one of five individuals facing charges related to the tragic death of Cailee Knight, a 9-year-old girl who was peacefully sleeping on her couch in Mobile, Alabama on December 5, 2023, when the assailants opened fire into her home.
According to Zieman, the shooting involved the use of an AR-15.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office is a law enforcement agency that serves the Mobile County area. With a team of dedicated officers and staff, the Sheriff’s Office works tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of the community. From patrolling the streets to investigating crimes, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office plays a vital role in maintaining law and order. With a commitment to serving the public, the Sheriff’s Office is always ready to respond to emergencies and provide assistance to those in need.
According to WKRG, James Barber, the city’s chief of staff, stated on the day of the shooting that Cailee’s family member was the intended target.
Zieman confirmed that a city official had made the claim, but clarified that the district attorney’s office has not taken a position on the target, as it is evidence that will be presented during the trial.
Barber did not promptly respond to PEOPLE’s request for confirmation regarding the specifics of the case.
Cailee’s mother, Andrea Bright, fondly reminisced about her 9-year-old daughter’s beautiful spirit on a GoFundMe page.
The Mobile County Sheriff’s Office arrested Ariel Curry and Tyrone Williams and booked them into jail two days after the shooting incident.
In September, the Mobile County District Attorney’s Office indicted Curry and Williams on two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder for shooting into an occupied dwelling.
According to the Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Criminal Court clerk’s office, the charges of dual capital murder are filed when a child under the age of 14 is shot and when a dwelling is shot into while occupied.
Darius Lucky, Jr. was taken into custody on December 9, 2023, according to his booking records. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of capital murder.
According to prosecutors, all three individuals are currently being held without bond under Aniah’s Law. This law allows judges to deny bail to defendants accused of violent crimes.
Ricki Thier, according to booking records, was arrested on January 25, 2024. The clerk’s office and prosecutors have charged Thier with murder in two distinct court cases.
Thier is facing charges of two counts of capital murder and one count of attempted murder by shooting into an occupied dwelling in connection with Cailee’s death, according to prosecutors. The capital murder charge has led to Thier being held without bond by a grand jury.
According to the clerk’s office, the arraignment of the four adults involved in the capital murder case will take place on November 26, nearly a year after the tragic shooting incident. Additionally, the 17-year-old suspect, who will be charged as an adult and is currently being held without bond, will also be arraigned during the same proceeding, as confirmed by Zieman.
Lawyers representing the adults accused in the capital murder case were not mentioned in the clerk’s records.
Will Alford is Thier’s court-appointed lawyer. He represents her in a separate drug-related homicide case. According to Alford, the incident occurred months before the 9-year-old’s fatal shooting. Thier is facing charges of felony murder and breaking and entering in this case.
According to Alford, Thier, who is currently incarcerated at Mobile Metro Jail, has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Thier is accused of being an accomplice in the case, but there is no evidence to suggest that she shot anyone. She is scheduled to appear in court on November 20 for a status hearing.
In a phone interview, Alford expresses uncertainty about representing her in the capital murder case. He admits to being unaware of any connection between the previous case and Cailee’s demise.
Prosecutors have not yet made clear whether they intend to pursue the death penalty in the capital murder case. If found guilty of capital murder in Alabama, defendants can face either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
