Judge finds teen accused in South Point horse-stabbing competent: ‘These proceedings move forward’

A family court judge ruled Wednesday that the teenage girl accused of stabbing horses at the South Point is competent, ending a monthslong delay as she underwent mental health evaluations.

“I’m ordering that these proceedings move forward,” Judge Linda Marquis said, and scheduled a December hearing to determine whether the teen should be charged as an adult.

The teen, who is in custody and wore a gray sweatsuit, stared blankly as the judge made her ruling. She was arrested in May and booked into the juvenile detention hall, where she has remained since.

The Clark County district attorney’s office has sought to move her case from the juvenile system in family court to adult court, where she could face a jury, a conviction on her record and prison time.

The juvenile system prioritizes alternatives to detention for youth, including probation, community service and counseling. Juvenile records are automatically sealed when a delinquent turns 21.

Prosecutors allege the girl, 17 at the time, intentionally injured three horses inside the South Point Arena & Equestrian Center to prevent them from competing in a barrel racing event that weekend. Hailey Krahenbuhl and Keira Weisbart, owners of two of the horses, posted on social media that Sully and Rocket had since healed and competed in other races. Arielle Phillips, an owner of the third, Detail, said the horse’s recovery had been precarious after it was stabbed six times.

The teen’s attorney, James Robinson, who has argued for the girl’s release, declined to comment after the competencing hearing.

He had asked Marquis to close a portion of the proceeding, noting that Nevada law “explicitly supports protecting the sensitive nature” of the evaluation’s findings, including details about her continued mental health and possible rehabilitation.

The judge closed the hearing for about half an hour before allowing reporters back into the courtroom.

Contact Akiya Leggio at [email protected].