Adult or juvenile charges?

By Mary Renee Shirk

senior staff writer

Cole Drake, the 14-year-old Manhattan High student charged with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery in the death of fellow student Tyler Dowling, will now wait until the end of September to learn if he will be tried as an adult in the case.
In the first of what is expected to be a number of court hearings to come, Riley County attorney Barry Wilkerson made a motion to have Drake tried as an adult. Judge David Stutzman scheduled a two-day certification hearing for Sept. 22 and 23. Evidence from both the prosecution and defense is expected to be presented.
Dowling's body was found in a field behind Eisenhower Middle School on April 13. A family member and some news reports allege Dowling was shot, but police will not confirm any details about the death.
The case has captivated the town which caused what Riley County Police Department director Brad Schoen called a "gossip fest." At a recent Riley County Commission meeting he urged residents to assist the investigation and stop talking about the case or spreading information through social media sites.
Drake's next hearing date to address other motions made is Aug. 8. He is being held in the North Central Kansas Regional Juvenile Detention Facility in Geary County.