COLUMBUS, Ohio — The court appearances for three teens came one day after Columbus police made all three arrests Wednesday in the death of Alexa Stakely, a 29-year-old mother. 

What You Need To Know

  • The three teens connected to the carjacking and death of Alexa Stakely remain in custody after their preliminary hearings Thursday

  • 19-year-old Gerald Dowling is being held on $10 million bond

  • The two 16-year-olds could potentially be tried as adults if the judge next week finds probable cause

The Canal Winchester woman died earlier this month after police said a 16 year-old admitted to carjacking her running car with her 6-year-old son asleep inside.

Police said when Stakley tried to stop him from driving away, the teen ran her over and she later died. Police said the two others, a 16-year-old and 19-year-old, watched it all happen. 

In juvenile court, prosecutors asked a magistrate for the 16-year-olds to be tried as adults. That will happen if a judge finds probable cause. In the meantime, the magistrate cited community safety concerns and ordered them to be held in custody until a hearing next week. He denied a request by their attorneys that they be set free with GPS monitoring devices. 

The attorneys said neither boy has a criminal record. Meanwhile, a state prosecutor said this case is a great example for kids to realize the seriousness of carjacking. 

“Think twice because in the blink of an eye, you can go from what seems like a fun little trip to spending the rest of most of your life in prison,” said Franklin County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Pete Chimbidis. 

As for the 19-year-old, Gerald Dowling, who appeared in court separately, a municipal court judge ordered he be held on $10 million bond. The 16-year-olds are scheduled to be back in court next Monday morning, when a judge will decide whether they’ll be tried as adults.

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