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Teen accused of killing Kiaya Campbell refuses to show up to court

The 15-year-old will be charged as an adult.
A 9NEWS file photo of Kiaya Campbell.

The 15-year-old boy accused of killing and sexually assaulting 10-year-old Kiaya Campbell refused to attend a court hearing Wednesday after he’d been charged as an adult in the killing.

Aidan Zellmer faces a total of seven counts for the June 7 murder of Campbell. Her body was found in a Thornton greenbelt. According to her autopsy report, which was obtained by 9Wants to Know, Campbell was beaten to death.

Zellmer was supposed to be advised of the adult charges Wednesday, but refused to show up for court, according to testimony at the hearing.

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It wasn’t immediately clear why Zellmer refused to be transported to the Adams County Justice Center in Brighton, but he’s expected to appear Friday afternoon to be formally advised of the seven counts against him.

Because Zellmer is 15, a judge held a hearing to determine whether his case should be transferred from juvenile to District Court and whether he should face charges as an adult.

After a four-day hearing, Adams County District Judge Priscilla Loew ruled Tuesday that the case should be transferred to adult court.

The details of the case have not been released and, other than the charges, the court record is sealed.

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Campbell had been reported missing the night before her body was found on June 8. Her autopsy said she suffered multiple blunt force injuries to the head, some of which caused skull fractures, as well as wounds on several fingers.

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