15-year-old to be tried as adult in college baseball player's death

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A judge ruled Monday that a 15-year-old accused of shooting and killing a college baseball player will be tried as an adult.

Jah'zion Wilson is charged with murder in connection with Zack Finch’s death.

Channel 9 was the only TV station in the courtroom as a judge heard evidence in the case. Two of Wilson's friends testified that he told them he had killed Finch in a west Charlotte park.

The judge also reviewed things Wilson had posted on social media before he was arrested.

[PAST COVERAGE: Mother of slain baseball player: 'We are broken']

The judge said those details were enough to convince him that Wilson should stand trial as an adult. The judge also ordered Wilson to be held with no bond.

Every 10 days for six months, Tara Finch, Zack's mother, and her family have been going to hearings for the 15-year-old boy.

"It's awful. It's hell. I relive it every day," Finch said.

"I'm glad now that we don't have to go back every 10 days, that'll be nice," father Jerry Finch said.

Finch, 21, was shot and killed in June while trying to buy a cellphone using a buying and selling app called LetGo.

[Photos of Zack Finch]

He was a student and baseball player at the University of Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He listed his hometown as Mint Hill.

(Zack Finch)

Wilson's attorney, Chiege Okwara, said the case is a tragedy for everyone.

"Obviously we're very sorry for the family and the death of their son, but it's also tragic for a 15-year-old who's charged with first-degree murder," Okwara said.

Okwara said it's been a painful time for the family of the teenager, who he said has never been in trouble before.

"This is something that was not even on the radar, anything forseeable," Okwara said.

Demonte McCain, 17, is also charged with murder in the case. A second 15-year-old was arrested, but charges were dismissed against that teen.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Police investigate fatal accident at coffee plant in Concord
• Dad stabs family dog to death to save 1-year-old daughter
• Troopers: Mother, 10-year-old daughter killed after driver runs stop sign
• WATCH: Keith Monday's Monday forecast update
• CLOSINGS & DELAYS: Several area schools closed Monday

Cox Media Group