By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

HAHNVILLE – A St. Charles Parish grand jury ruled late last week that two 16-year-olds accused of murdering a Norco woman last month will be tried as adults.

Daniel Deese and Braiden Sumrall were indicted on first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 77-year-old Mary Nancy Arico. The two boys are accused of beating and stabbing Arico inside her Norco home Nov. 8.

The grand jury also indicted 17-year-old Pauline Deese for accessory after the fact to first-degree murder and obstruction of justice. A fourth suspect in the case, a 14-year-old girl, was booked with principal to first-degree murder and will still be tried as a juvenile.

St. Charles District Attorney Harry J. Morel Jr. said the 14-year-old’s offense does not allow for transfer to adult court. Morel would not comment further citing a gag order issued by St. Charles Parish Judge Robert Chaisson.

According to court documents, Sumrall, Daniel Deese and the 14-year-old girl went to Arico’s house on Nov. 8 with the intention to get money to help the girl run away from home. The boys knocked on Arico’s door and asked to use her phone. Once inside the home, Sumrall distracted Arico while Deese armed himself with knives and began attacking her.

The girl, who told investigators she stayed outside, said she recalled hearing screaming coming from inside and that Daniel Deese emerged from the house covered in blood.

Court documents say that Pauline Deese, Daniel Deese’s sister, was told of the murder by her brother, but later lied to investigators when questioned about the incident. Authorities said Pauline Deese told friends about the incident saying that her brother killed an elderly woman in the area.

Arico’s body was not discovered until nearly three weeks after her killing, when a sister in New York asked a neighbor to check on her. The neighbor called police when she got no answer at the door and the responding deputy discovered Arico’s body decomposing on the kitchen floor.

Sumrall and Daniel Deese, who were being held in a juvenile facility, have now been booked into the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in Killona, where they are being held without bond.

Pauline Deese is also being held at the Nelson Coleman Correctional Center in lieu of $200,000 bond.

Chaisson is scheduled to arraign Sumrall, Daniel Deese and Pauline Deese on Jan. 4.