A Peoria teen’s murder case will be heard in adult court.
According to a release from the Peoria County State’s Attorney’s office, a county judge granted the state’s petition to transfer 15-year-old Robert Mister’s charge of first-degree murder to adult court. Mister is accused of the December 2024 murder of 39-year-old James Miller from Peoria.
Police said, around 7:45 p.m. on Dec. 22, officers responded to a call reporting a person shot in the 300 block of E. Arcadia Avenue in Peoria’s East Bluff neighborhood. Officers found Miller lying inside the front door of a building with multiple gunshot wounds, including one to his head and three to his back. Miller was taken to a local hospital for treatment but died from his injuries.
Police said they were able to identify Mister as a suspect in the case based on witness statements. He was taken into custody five days after the murder. Police say, when interviewed, Mister admitted to the shooting but claimed self-defense.
Prosecutors filed juvenile charges on Dec. 30 of last year, along with a request to move the case from juvenile to adult court. According to the State’s Attorney’s Office, the court considers such factors as the juvenile’s background, previous rehabilitation efforts, the severity of the offense, and whether the juvenile justice system provides adequate protection for the public to make this decision.
Police say the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Peoria Police Department.
