The Allentown Morning Call reports that Judge Kelly Banach tried to persuade 17-year-old Luis Manuel Roman to remain in the juvenile system during a hearing Wednesday but ultimately approved the request.
Roman is accused of slashing a classmate in November in Allentown in what police called a gang-related confrontation. The injured teen needed 30 stitches..
The judge warned Roman that two charges he faces carry maximum sentences of 20 years behind bars if he's convicted as an adult.
Roman insisted on adult charges, saying juvenile offenders are "disrespectful" and he could have visitors in prison that are not permitted in juvenile detention.
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Information from: The Morning Call
