Trial set for teen accused of killing siblings

MELINDA STARKEY PHOTO

At a Pre-Trial Hearing on Tuesday, October 6, for Nickalas James Kedrowitz, 16, Judge Ryan King kept the trial date set for February 8, 2021 in place. The teenager, who was waived into adult court has been charged with the murder of two siblings in his home. One child was 11 months old, the other was two-years old. The first child was killed May 1, 2017, with the second one dying only 81 days later at the same household in Osgood.

Mark Jones, representing the defendant asked for a continuance for the trial saying, “I don’t think we’ll be COVID free by then.” He thought seating a jury would be a difficult thing to do. He then asked to re-hire Dr. Parker to determine his client’s competency. With those issues in mind, he wanted the trial date to be pushed back further.

While the State, represented by Chief Deputy Shane Tucker, said they didn’t object due to COVID, he noted the competency hearing has already been done. He also said that he spoke on behalf of Gary McCartney, father of one of the deceased children in this case, who was in the courtroom. McCartney has asked that the trial date remain as it is due to the fact it has been 41 months since his child died and no one has been brought to justice for the crime.

Chief Deputy Tucker noted that they didn’t have an objection to having the defendant re-examined, and knew the trial date could be pushed back due to COVID-19 concerns, but they were ready to proceed on February 8, 2021.

Judge King noted there are currently no formal motions before the Court to push the date back. He said a ruling at this Pre-Trial would be premature. He also noted that they’ve already been through a competency hearing that was four or five days long. The Judge said there were several previous continuances, maybe in excess of 10.

Jones said he would be filing the motions within the next 10 days to two weeks. He cited this being an unusual time and said he also has had personal issues with surgery to contend with.

To the worries about the jury and COVID-19 constraints, Judge King noted that the Supreme Court has a plan in place that they will follow. He also noted that other trials have proceeded during this time, and no one knows when COVID-19 will be over.

Chief Deputy Tucker told The Versailles Republican that this is a complicated matter of constitutional rights and they want to make sure those rights are adhered to, ultimately bringing justice in this case.

This case has gone from a CHINS case through the Department of Child Welfare, to a juvenile criminal case that was waived into adult court in the course of the time since the first child died.

McCartney told The Versailles Republican that as the father of a little girl who was defenseless against this situation, he wants to know exactly what happened. He doesn’t feel that has come out yet, and is anxious for the trial to begin. He said he will continue to rely on his faith to uphold him at this time, and trust the system to bring about justice for his youngest daughter. “I’ve thought many times, how do I explain exactly what happened to my oldest daughter, when I don’t even know myself?”

He’s hoping time will tell the true story and justice will be served.