Humbles sent to Eldora Training School

CEDAR RAPIDS - Citing concerns about his age upon release from a youth residential treatment center, as well as his own safety, a judge ordered Robert Humbles be placed at the Eldora State Training School for Boys, the most restrictive level of treatment.

Humbles, who turns 15 next month, will likely remain at the facility until he is 18.

'Robert needs the most time possible to keep safe, to keep the community safe,” said Judge Jane Spande at Friday's hearing.

Humbles was sentenced for voluntary manslaughter, reckless use of a firearm resulting in serious injury and going armed with intent in the Sept. 6, 2015 shooting death of 15-year-old Aaron Richardson in Cedar Rapids. Humbles previously admitted to shooting Richardson in the 300 block of 16th Avenue SE after two rival groups the teens belonged to exchanged threats through text messages and social media.

Humbles had originally been charged with first-degree murder in Richardson's death, but reached a plea bargain. He is being prosecuted as a youthful offender and will return to adult court when he is 18. At that time, he could be released, placed on probation or serve the remainder of his prison sentence.

Humbles' attorneys had sought placement for their client at Wittenmyer Youth Center in Davenport. Jeff Wallace, a group care manager at the facility, testified via phone on Friday that Humbles would have been placed in a 12-18 month program at the facility, rather than the standard 6-9 month program, emphasizing accountability for his actions.

Rachel Antonuccio, one of Humbles' attorneys with the Johnson County Public Defender's Office, asked Spande to consider placing their client in a facility 'just one small step down” from the Eldora training school, citing his improved grades in juvenile detention and other advances.

'We have good reason to believe Robert can be rehabilitated,” Antonuccio said.

However, Juvenile Court officer Shawn Moss said he didn't think Humbles would be best served at Wittenmyer, noting he's had several juveniles run from the facility. Moss said his recommendation has always been the training school.

Spande ultimately agreed with Moss, expressing concerns that upon completion of his residential treatment program at Wittenmyer, Humbles would likely be sent home where the same stresses, family dynamics and community issues that led to his arrest would likely await him.

'When you're 16 and a half years old, Robert, you're not going to be ready to come back to this community,” she said.

Spande also said she was concerned for Humbles' safety, noting an altercation earlier this month in juvenile detention and saying Davenport was too close to Humbles' friends and enemies in Cedar Rapids. The training school, on the other hand, could keep him segregated from his rivals, she said.

'I have seen young men and young women have positive lives after completion of the state training program,” Spande said. 'These are not penal programs.”

Johnson County Chief Public Defender Peter Persaud said after the hearing Spande's decision could be appealed, but he would first discuss the next course of action with his client.