'We cannot afford a misstep:' Orange sheriff explains silence on search for 17-year-old wanted for murder of Devin Clark, Lyric Woods

The Orange County Sheriff's Office on Monday issued a statement addressing outstanding questions in the search for the murderer behind and motive for the deaths of Devin Clark and Lyric Woods. Sheriff Charles Blackwood said he hopes a better understanding of the juvenile justice process can calm some fears and answer some questions.

According to reports, Clark, 18, and Woods, 14, were last seen in a car with a third person. That third person has not been publicly identified, and investigators have not said whether the person in the vehicle was the same person they are considering a possible murder suspect. The bodies of the two teens were found along an ATV path in Orange County, and the sheriff's office filed a petition against a 17-year-old in connection to those deaths.

Under North Carolina law, the 17-year-old is treated as a juvenile and any criminal records kept private.

"The North Carolina General Statutes prohibit the release of all records and files pertaining to cases of juveniles under supervision of juvenile court counselors. A record includes, but is not limited to, information obtained from witnesses, laboratory tests, surveillance, confidential informants, investigators, photographs, measurements, and officer case notes. Moreover, a different subsection explicitly provides that law enforcement shall withhold these materials from public inspection unless the case is transferred to superior court,” Blackwood explained.

Unless and until the 17-year-old is indicted or the court finds probable cause that he or she committed a felony (murder would be one example), the case stays in the juvenile system.

Blackwood said he recognizes the public’s desire for information related to the deaths of Clark and Woods but asked for patience. “We cannot afford a misstep this close to the goal line,” he said.

Defense attorney Daniel Meier, who is a defense attorney in Durham but does not have ties to the case, said a suspect accused of two counts of first-degree murder would ultimately likely be tried as an adult. "Once he's transferred to adult court, then all bets are off and the name can be released," said Meier.

It will be up to the district attorney to decide whether to keep the 17-year-old suspect in the adult system or leave the case in juvenile court.

"Someone charged with a double homicide, unless there’s real extreme circumstances, I’d be surprised if the district attorney in Orange County chose to keep these in juvenile court," said Meier.

Meier said there is a big difference in a sentencing between juvenile and adult court. In juvenile court, Meier said, there's a cap on how long someone can serve.

"He can only be held until he's 23 — that's the maximum for juvenile court. Then, juvenile records are sealed," he said.

But, in adult court, a defendant convicted of first-degree murder has much more limited options.

"There are only two options for someone who committed the crime when they were under the age of 18, and that would either be life without the possibility of parole or life with the possibility of parole after 25 years," said Meier.