A local teen accused of hitting and killing a 13-year-old boy will be tried as an adult. 17-year-old Kellisha Whitterson is accused of running down 13-year-old Dashaan Ballew in Evanston in September. She then left the scene of the accident.
She was caught several days later, after Local 12 aired video of her taken by a security camera just moments before the incident, as a gas station near where it all happened.
Whitterson admitted to driving the car. Today in court, prosecutors argued for the case to be sent to adult court, saying that rehabilitation has not worked in the past for Whitterson and citing her extensive juvenile criminal record. They also cited the short sentence Whitterson would face if she were convicted in juvenile court.
Whitterson's attorneys say she suffers from severe mental and emotional problems. They also claim she was forced at gunpoint to drive away by her passenger, 28 year old Jarmell Jackson. Jackson has a lengthy criminal history but does not face any charges in this incident.
Whitterson will face charges of involuntary manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident. Today, her bond was set at $100,000 cash for the involuntary manslaughter charge, and $50,000 at 10% for vehicular homicide. She also has a bond of $25,000 for leaving the scene of an accident but can be released if she pays 10% of that amount.
