Suspect in killing of Ronald Brown will stand trial as an adult

Wadlow is charged with second-degree murder and first-degree robbery.

By Amanda Bromwich

Published April 17, 2009

Sixteen-year-old Nikolaus Wadlow was certified to stand trial as an adult Monday for his involvement in the Feb. 16 homicide of Ronald Brown.

"If a family court judge feels there is nothing in the juvenile system to benefit the juvenile in question, the juvenile is usually certified to stand trial as an adult," said Sgt. Ken Hammond, Columbia Police Department's Major Crimes Unit.

Following a hearing with a family court judge, Wadlow was arrested on a warrant issued by the Boone County Prosecuting Attorney's office on the charges of second-degree murder and first-degree robbery, a news release from CPD stated.

"Whether or not a juvenile will be tried as an adult depends on the type of crime and the juvenile's prior experience in the court system," said Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Stephanie Morrell.

The initial arraignment will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the preliminary hearing will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 15, according to Missouri Case.net.

Of the six total suspects involved with the Brown homicide, Wadlow is the second to be certified to be tried as an adult, Hammond said.

All suspects in the case have been arrested and are now being held at Boone County Jail awaiting trial.

Ashtin Weger and Andre Lee accompanied the victim Ronald Brown to purchase a large amount of marijuana from another suspect and Wadlow, a Feb. 16 news release from CPD stated. Shortly after Weger, Lee and Brown arrived at a predetermined location behind Ballenger Liquor & C-Store, a dark-colored Jeep Cherokee arrived and one of the juvenile suspects exited the vehicles.

The juvenile suspect exiting the vehicle then proceeded to fire shots at Weger, Lee and Brown, fatally striking Brown in the lower abdomen.

The crimes unit continues to follow leads and other information up until trial, Hammond said.

Wadlow is being held on a $1 million, cash-only bond at the Boone County Jail, the news release stated.

Wadlow's attorney could not be reached for comment.