Teen-Ager Charged as Adult in Bank Holdups
A Tarzana teen-ager accused of robbing two San Fernando Valley banks at gunpoint was charged Wednesday as an adult in those crimes, one day after being removed from the jurisdiction of Juvenile Court.
Michael Morrison, 17, is scheduled to appear for arraignment today in Van Nuys Municipal Court, said Mike Carroll, head deputy district attorney in Van Nuys. Morrison is charged with robbing Barclays Bank of California on Jan. 3 and Encino Savings & Loan on May 23, and with stealing two cars at gunpoint in connection with the robberies.
Another Tarzana youth, Mark Berman, 17, has admitted taking part in the Encino bank robbery and stealing three cars. He was sentenced in Sylmar Juvenile Court last month to the California Youth Authority.
After a fitness hearing Tuesday, Juvenile Court Judge Burton S. Katz ordered Morrison, who has not yet entered a plea, to stand trial as an adult.
If convicted, Morrison could be sentenced to a maximum of 12 years in prison.
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