From Law & Crime · · 1m 40s
Teen Tried as Adult for Paddleboarder Murder
Maine teen charged with killing paddleboarder will face adult trial after misleading investigators.
In brief
Maine teen charged with killing paddleboarder will face adult trial after misleading investigators. Deven Young, 19, will be tried as an adult for the murder of Sunshine Stewart after allegedly misleading police during the investigation. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Teen charged with paddleboarder murder
Deven Young, 19, was 17 when 48-year-old Sunshine "Sunny" Stewart died.
Alleged murder on Crawford Pond
Stewart was found dead on an island at the center of Crawford Pond in Union, Maine.
Cause of death confirmed
Maine State Police ruled her death a homicide with cause of death as strangulation and blunt force trauma.
Investigation timeline
For nearly two weeks after Stewart's body was found, investigators searched for clues.
Young misled investigators
Katharine Lunt, campground owner, said Young inserted himself into the case by "volunteering" to help investigators.
Young directed police wrong
Lunt told authorities Young took them in the opposite direction of where Sunny was found.
Young's presence at campground
Young was at the campground for two weeks, offering help to campers while acting like nothing happened.
Adult trial confirmed
In a Knox County Superior Court status conference, a judge confirmed Young will be tried as an adult after waiving his bind-over hearing.
Prosecution's goal
Maine Attorney General's Office wanted Young tried as an adult from the start of the case.
Juvenile vs adult consequences
If charged as a juvenile, Young would likely have been released at age 21; as an adult, he faces 25 years to life.
Current status
Young will be held without bail at Knox County Jail and faces a grand jury hearing in January.
The short version
Deven Young, 19, will be tried as an adult for the murder of Sunshine Stewart after allegedly misleading police during the investigation.
