Murder suspect to stay jailed

CLOVIS — Suspected killer Nathaniel Jouett will remain in Clovis’ juvenile detention facility, at least for now, following a hearing Thursday in District Court.

Prosecutor Brian Stover asked Judge Fred Van Soelen to deny any request for release based on his concern Jouett is a threat to others as well as himself. Stover said police found suicide notes in Jouett’s home after the slayings.

Jouett’s attorney, Jennifer Birmingham, said she was not opposed to her client remaining in custody, though she said she may want to review the issue later.

Jouett, 16, was arrested Monday following a shooting at Clovis-Carver Public Library that left two dead and four injured. Police said he was the only suspect.

The court appearance on Thursday was the boy’s first since the incident. The only issue before the court was Jouett’s continued incarceration.

He appeared in the courtroom, dressed in a jail uniform. He appeared relaxed, wearing his short hair in a high ponytail, and did not speak during the proceeding.

The courtroom was full almost to capacity for the five-minute detention hearing, which was attended by witnesses to Monday’s incident and family members of Jouett.

The next court procedure in the case will be a grand jury hearing on Sept. 8.

Prosecutors will file a notice of intent for adult sanctions sometime today, Stover said.

A new grand jury panel will also be convened today, he added, and will decide Sept. 8 if there is enough probable cause to indict Jouett and have him prosecuted as an adult.

Jouett’s existing charges — two counts of first-degree murder, one count of child abuse and four counts each of assault with intent to commit a violent felony and aggravated battery — are considered “delinquent acts” until the grand jury tries him as an adult.

Jouett faces a minimum sentence of life in prison for each murder conviction as an adult.

The four individuals injured in Monday’s shooting are expected to make full physical recoveries, said Texas Tech University Health Science Center Trauma Medical Director Dr. Steven Brooks in a press conference Thursday afternoon.

Alexis Molina, 21, sustained serious injuries in her chest and abdomen. At the family’s request, doctors did not discuss the condition of her younger brother, 10-year old Noah Molina, who was also injured Monday. Police have said Noah is expected to recover.

Howard Jones, 53, was shot in the left forearm causing nerve damage. Jessica Thron, 30, a library circulation assistant, had injuries to her upper left arm.

Brooks did not specify but said two of those injured have been discharged from Lubbock’s University Medical Center.

All three adults had indications of acute stress disorder, a precursor to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

District Attorney Andrea Reeb is in another trial this week but will be lead prosecutor on the Jouett case, Stover said.

Juvenile Probation Officer Adam Martinez and Clovis Police Detective Rick Smith attended Thursday’s hearing along with Stover.