17-Year-Old to Be Tried as Adult for Murder in Carjack Attempt
A Compton Juvenile Court judge on Monday ordered a 17-year-old boy from South-Central Los Angeles to be tried as an adult for the murder last November of an Orange County man during an attempted carjacking at a fast-food restaurant in Carson.
Lawrence Elliot Cottle, who authorities say is a member of the Raymond Avenue Crips gang, could be sentenced to life in prison without parole if he is convicted of the murder of Newport Beach businessman Alan Peterson Sr.
Peterson, 62, was fatally shot in the chest in the parking of a Jack in the Box restaurant. Authorities believe Cottle killed Peterson after botching an attempt to steal Peterson’s car.
“There is no way in the world he is fit to be tried as a juvenile,” said Judge Charles R. Scarlet after listening to a detective read a lengthy list witness statements.
If Cottle, who has no felony convictions, were to be tried and convicted as a juvenile, he could have been released from the California Youth Authority no later than age 25.
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