WAGONER — A Wagoner County judge has ordered a 17-year-old Broken Arrow boy to stand trial as an adult in the beating death of a Muskogee man.
Gage Broom is charged with first-degree manslaughter in the December death of 27-year-old Justin Childress.
Broom had been certified as a youthful offender, but District Judge Doug Kirkley upgraded his status to an adult Tuesday after hearing arguments from prosecutors.
Prosecutors claim Broom hit Childress with a metal pipe multiple times and also kicked him.
Broom has claimed he was acting in self defense.
Officials with the Office of Juvenile Affairs also testified it would be difficult for Broom to go through a treatment plan within five months of his 18th birthday.
Broom will turn 18 in November.
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Copyright 2009 The Associated Press.
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