Developing: Murder suspect in Maddy Middleton case back in court

The murder suspect accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old Santa Cruz girl was back in court.

Adrian Gonzalez was 15-years-old when he was arrested on suspicion of killing 8-year-old Madyson Middleton in 2015 at their Santa Cruz apartment complex.

Tuesday’s transfer hearing is where the judge is expected to decide if Gonzalez will be tried as an adult or a juvenile.

Gonzalez showed little emotion in court with his head down as the defense attorney described how chaotic his childhood was. The attorney claims the murder suspect has ADHD and autism.

However the prosecutor said Gonzalez is not fit for a juvenile program or capable of being rehabilitated.

Gonzalez and Middleton were neighbors at the Tannery Arts Center, an apartment complex in Santa Cruz. Investigators found her body inside a recycling bin on the property.

Prosecutors said Gonzalez told detectives that he killed Maddy for attention.

An investigator with the Public Defenders Office, Cathy Johnson told the court Gonzalez was raised in an abusive household. She said his mother didn’t know how to discipline him and resorted to hitting him with a wooden spoon.

The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office said the transferring hearing could take a week.

KION’s Linda Zhang will have the details at 5 and 6 p.m.

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The murder case against a Santa Cruz teen accused of raping and killing an 8-year-old girl last year will go to trial.

During a brief court appearance Tuesday, Adrian Gonzalez showed little emotion and directed all of his attention to the judge. Charges against him, including murder, kidnapping and rape, were handed over on paper but Gonzalez chose not to have them read out loud. He pleaded not guilty to each of the charges.

Outside the courtroom, family and friends honored Madyson Middleton’s memory.

“This is to be expected,” said Michael Middleton, Maddy’s father. “It’s not a surprise. I know it’s going to be a long hall, but just got to go with the flow.”

Last July, the young girl’s body was found in a recycling bin at her apartment complex in Santa Cruz. Gonzalez and Middleton both lived at the complex and knew each other.

Maddy’s father had these words for the man he believes killed his daughter: “He’s going to have to face his own demons, it’s not up to me,” he said.

The case will go to a jury on February 21, 2017. The Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office says it has strong evidence against Gonzalez, who is being tried as an adult.

“The things that took place in this case are absolutely horrible,” said District Attorney Jeff Rosell. “We filed appropriate charges, we filed at an appropriate level, and it is what public safety demands. It is what our job is, and it is what we are tasked to do, and it’s what we are going to do.”

Gonzalez’ attorney says he’s speaking with family members to learn more about his mental health, but refused to explain why.

As for the Middleton family, Maddy’s father says they want everyone to remember Maddy, and don’t want her murder to cast a shadow on the community.

“I hope it doesn’t turn people off, thinking that Santa Cruz is a bad place. You know unfortunate things happen everywhere, but hopefully this will bring some awareness to these kind of situations.”

If convicted, Gonzalez could face life in prison.

ORIGINAL STORY: Adrian Gonzalez, the teenager accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering an 8-year-old Santa Cruz girl last July, will stand trial February 21, 2017.

Gonzalez appeared Tuesday in a Santa Cruz County courtroom and waived a formal reading of the charges against him. He pleaded not guilty to each charge and waived his right to a speedy trial. The court also scheduled a trial readiness date of February 8, 2017.

Gonzalez is accused of killing Madyson Middleton. Gonzalez and Middleton were neighbors at the Tannery Arts Center, an apartment complex in Santa Cruz. Investigators found her body inside a recycling bin on the property .

KION’S Brandon Castillo attended Tuesday’s court session and spoke with attorneys and Maddy’s father. Look for his story tonight at 5 and 6.