Teen charged in Landfall assault case to be tried as adult

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY-TV) — One of the three juveniles accused in the alleged assault of a security guard at the Country Club of Landfall over the Fourth of July weekend will now be tried as an adult.

The 17-year-old defendant, who is charged with felony assault inflicting serious bodily injury, will have the case transferred from juvenile court to Superior Court, where it will be heard before a judge and jury.

Attorney Thom Goolsby, who has practiced law in Wilmington for 35 years, said the move is consistent with North Carolina law for defendants of that age facing serious felony charges.

“You’re in big people court now,” Goolsby said. “You’re going to have a jury. You’re going to have a superior court judge.”

Goolsby said he was not surprised by the transfer, noting that 17-year-olds charged with Class F felonies are commonly prosecuted as adults.

“This person is 17. It’s not like we’re talking about a 12- or 13-year-old,” Goolsby said. “We’re talking about someone almost at majority that our state routinely prosecuted up until the Raise the Age law. So there’s nothing shocking about any of this to me.”

The teen is one of three suspects charged in connection with the alleged attack on Landfall security guard Russell James during an Independence Day celebration on July 3.

The 17-year-old faces a charge of assault inflicting serious bodily injury, a Class F felony that carries a potential prison sentence of up to five years if convicted.

In a statement to residents, the Country Club of Landfall said the investigation remains ongoing.

“An active legal investigation of this incident by local law enforcement continues to be underway,” the statement said. “The events of July 3 were deeply disappointing for everyone in our community. Our hope is that, as we move forward together, this experience will strengthen our collective commitment to maintaining the safe, respectful, and welcoming environment that has long been a hallmark of Landfall.”

Goolsby said the transfer to Superior Court was expected given the defendant’s age and the severity of the charge.

“Unless the prosecutor declined to take it to Superior Court, it’s going to happen anyway,” he said.

There have been no updates regarding the other two juveniles charged in the case.

The 17-year-old is scheduled to appear for an administrative hearing Sept. 14.