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Prosecutor wants adult trials in Autumn Pasquale killing

Two teenage brothers who were charged in the strangulation of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale in Clayton, Gloucester County, should be tried as adults, county Prosecutor Sean Dalton said Thursday.

Two teenage brothers who were charged in the strangulation of 12-year-old Autumn Pasquale in Clayton, Gloucester County, should be tried as adults, county Prosecutor Sean Dalton said Thursday.

A motion to have the suspects transferred will be filed in the next seven to 10 days with Superior Court Judge Colleen Maier of the Gloucester County Family Division of state court, Dalton said.

"It is the state's position, based upon the gravity of the juveniles' actions in causing the death of Autumn Pasquale, that these cases should be heard in adult court," Dalton said.

His office expects Maier will schedule a hearing to determine whether the motion to transfer the case will be granted.

If tried as adults, the brothers would face at least 30 years in state prison without parole, authorities said.

"The family is still in the healing process, and we support the decision of the Gloucester County prosecutor to seek involuntary transfer to adult court," said Jaime Kaigh, a Westmont lawyer and former assistant prosecutor who represents Autumn's family.

The girl's parents were not available for comment.

"The more serious the charges and alleged crime, the more likely that a child will be transferred from juvenile to adult court," said J.C. Lore, a clinical professor at the Rutgers School of Law-Camden and an expert in juvenile court proceedings and transfers of juveniles to adult court. "The hearing in New Jersey for these types of charges is not extensive."

Justin Robinson, 15, and Dante Robinson, 17, who lived in the same East Clayton Avenue block where the body was recovered, have been charged in the killing.

"The prosecutor just has to show probable cause to have [the case] transferred for the 17-year-old," Lore said. "It is a very low standard and it is frequently met by prosecutors. Most likely it will be granted."

Lore said the younger brother could try to convince the court that he shouldn't be transferred to adult court because he can be rehabilitated.

Autumn was reported missing when she did not return home past a family curfew after riding her BMX bicycle from her house on the afternoon of Oct. 20. Her body was found Oct. 22, blocks away in a residential recycling bin.

The Robinson brothers are being held on charges of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, disposing of the body, tampering with evidence, and theft. The 15-year-old also is charged with luring.

The teens are in the county juvenile detention center.

Janine Faulkner, a public defender who represents Justin Robinson, declined to comment Thursday on the prosecutor's announcement.

Christopher Hoffner, a lawyer representing Dante Robinson, could not be reached for comment.

Investigators said Autumn went to the Robinsons' house after Justin invited her to exchange bicycle parts.

Hundreds of officers and agents from 20 municipal, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as family, friends, and residents across the region searched for Autumn.