Teen accused of killing two people in Chelsea to be tried as an adult

AUGUSTA, Maine (WABI) - A judge has ruled the 17-year-old accused of killing two people in Chelsea last June will be tried as an adult.

Jason Hunnewell is facing two counts of depraved indifference murder for the deaths of his cousin Christopher Hunnewell and Christopher’s son, Ty Carter. He’s also charged with the assault of Carter’s fiancée who was there at the time of the murders. Christopher was Jason’s foster care guardian. Hunnewell, then 16, was taken to the Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, where he remains in custody.

Arguments were heard this spring debating whether or not Hunnewell should be tried as an adult. Hunnewell’s defense claimed he was failed by his family and the system. The prosecution said public safety was at stake, saying his childhood doesn’t excuse the crimes he committed.

Family members wore ‘Justice for CJ and Ty’ t-shirts in the courtroom and called for Jason to be tried as an adult and given a life sentence.

Hunnewell’s attorneys have appealed the decision to the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.