Plea deal in the works for 12-year-old Cristian Fernandez

“The life of this family is tragic. What happened to the two-year-old is tragic. It’s very very sad all the way around,” Public Defender Matt Shirk tells WOKV.

12-year-old Cristian Fernandez is the youngest ever in Jacksonville to be charged with first degree murder as an adult after the death of his 2-year-old half brother David Galarriago in March.  And a plea deal could be reached in November at Fernandez’s next court date.

“To say we’re close I think you could say that,” says Shirk.

State Attorney Angela Corey also spoke to WOKV regarding the case.

“No one is saying, you are equal to an adult, or you have the same thinking capacity as an adult. What we’re saying is we’re going to seek adult sanctions for you that will then be tailored to your juvenile status,” says Corey.

“Most people say why are you trying to put him away for life? Well, we’re not. We never have been,” says Corey.

The next court date for Fernandez is set for November 21.