Teen murder suspect waived to adult court

MUNCIE – A 16-year-old Muncie youth accused of fatally shooting another teen has been waived into adult court.

That action had at least two immediate ramifications for William C. Balfour III.

He was transferred Monday from the county's juvenile detention center to the Delaware County jail. And as an adult defendant in a criminal case, his name became a matter of public record.

The 16-year-old was arrested at his home, in the 1900 block of East Cedar Street, last Thursday evening. He is charged in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Christian Orebaugh in the victim's West 23rd Street home on the night of July 2.

A probable cause affidavit — signed by Brian Pierce, a court commissioner who presides over most local juvenile proceedings — alleges Balfour and another teenager "entered the front door of (Orebaugh's) residence, both with guns in their hands, before the shot was fired."

Two other juveniles were also in the house, having arrived a few minutes later, the document said.

Also present was a 40-year-old man who had been staying with Orebaugh. He said he was in another room when someone "entered the front door with a gun and told everyone to get down."

Investigators said Orebaugh — who died of a single gunshot wound in the torso — had been shot near the back of the house.

One of the other juveniles at the scene told police that Balfour later asked, "Why did he run?"

A witness reported seeing three males "running out of the house" in the wake of the shooting.

Deputy Prosecutor Zach Craig said it was unlikely formal charges would be filed against Balfour before Wednesday. The teenager was being held without bond in the Delaware County jail.

A murder conviction in Indiana carries a maximum 65-year prison term.

Also arrested at the Cedar Street house on July 9 was Datrion La Quall Hendricks, 18, who was charged Monday with unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.

Craig said Tuesday that that arrest and charge were unrelated to the Orebaugh homicide. Because of a 2014 robbery conviction, Hendricks -- also being held without bond Tuesday in the county jail -- was prohibited from possessing guns.

Contact news reporter Douglas Walker at (765) 213-5851. You can also follow him on Twitter @DouglasWalkerSP.