Judge Steven Gibbs. Image courtesy: WAOW TV
CHIPPEWA FALLS, WI (WSAU) — Court officials say a “resolution” has been scheduled in the homicide and sexual assault case against Carson Peters-Berger.
Multiple reports from the Eau Claire area indicate that court officials have shifted an August 26th court date from a pretrial hearing to a “resolution.” It’s not clear if that means a plea and sentencing hearing or something else, like a bench trial or deferred agreement.
The now 18-year-old was 14 when he allegedly killed Lily Peters while escorting her home after visiting her aunt, telling investigators he beat her with a stick and punched her numerous times. then left her body in the area and returned home. When he learned that she had been reported missing, officers say he returned to the area to try to hide her body better.
He’s also accused of sexually assaulting Peters, who was 10 at the time of her death.
RELATED: Chippewa County Court Names Lily Peters’ Suspected Killer
Peters-Berger has pled not guilty to the charges. His legal team tried to have the case moved to the juvenile system, but prosecutors successfully argued that doing so would diminish the severity of the charges against him.
The case had been scheduled for jury selection in late October and a two-week trial in November. Public records tied to the case have been sealed under an order from Judge Steven Gibbs.
If found guilty, Peters-Berger faces a mandatory life sentence with only the possibility of parole left to the discretion of Judge Gibbs.
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