Jackson County teen faces charges as adult in mother's fatal stabbing

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- A teenager accused of stabbing his mother to death in their eastern Jackson County home has been certified to stand trial as an adult.

Taylor Marquez, 16, of Grain Valley, was arrested in Colorado with his friend and co-defendant, Eddie George, in July 2006, a few days after the death of Pamela Marquez. The victim's husband, Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Marquez, was also attacked and suffered cuts on his throat and lip.

Jackson County Circuit Judge Ann Mesle heard nearly an hour of arguments Tuesday before ruling that Taylor Marquez could be prosecuted as an adult. He was initially charged as a juvenile with first-degree murder and armed criminal action and was expected to be arraigned Wednesday on new charges.

George, 17, already has been certified as an adult and arraigned on charges of first-degree murder, assault, auto theft and two counts of armed criminal action.

David Fry, the special prosecutor assigned to the case, argued in court Tuesday that an elaborate plan "to conduct brutal acts" warranted the certification of Marquez as an adult.

Marquez's attorney, Teresa Anderson, argued for him to remain in the juvenile system and referred to testimony that George had confessed that he was the one who stabbed Pamela Marquez "five or six times."

Joe Marquez has told police he was watching television on the night of July 15 when someone grabbed him from behind, pulled back his head and tried to cut his throat. Marquez told police that he wrestled a knife from the attacker, and when he turned around, George was there.

The father said he called 911 and ordered the teens out of the house.