Teen to be Tried as Adult in Toddler’s Death

A 17-year-old suspect in the death of a toddler will be tried as an adult Lawyers for James Alberts Junior told Judge Lee Christofferson yesterday that the defendant s mental retardation should prevent him from being tried in adult court Christofferson says today that the state met all the requirements for moving the case to adult court including showing probable cause that Alberts committed murder Alberts is charged in the death of 21-month-old Katrina Ann Rardon who died of head injuries in a Devils Lake apartment in January Authorities say Alberts is the boyfriend of the child s mother An evaluation by the State Hospital found no evidence that Alberts should be committed for mental care rather than face trial