Oklahoma teen accused of murdering stepmother to be tried as an adult

VINITA, Okla. -- (KFOR) -- An Oklahoma teenager accused of murdering his stepmother in Vinita will be tried as an adult.

In August 2016, Koalten Orr, who was 14 years old at the time, walked into the police station and confessed to police that he gunned down his stepmother.

When officers went to the boy's home, they found the body of 38-year-old Laura Beth Hendrix.

According to the Tulsa World, Orr told police he killed Hendrix because he had been molested by her and “he was tired of the abuse.”

However, Orr's initial claims of sexual abuse by Hendrix were discredited, the Tulsa World reports.

Craig County Prosecutor Tony Evans originally charged Orr as an adult. Under the law, a teenager is tried as an adult if charged with first degree murder.

Thursday, the Court of Criminal Appeals agreed.

“We agree with the appeals court's decision. It is the correct interpretation of the law and we will continue to pursue justice on behalf of Laura Hendrix,” referencing Thursday's ruling.