WQIO Ohio's Super Station
A Knox County Juvenile Court judge has ruled that 17‑year‑old Brice Hay will be tried as an adult in the December 2025 death of his father, Kevin Hay. The decision follows a probable‑cause hearing held Feb. 20 and a review of evidence presented by investigators, medical experts, and witnesses familiar with the teen’s history.
Hay was arrested on Dec. 9, 2025, and has remained in the Muskingum County Juvenile Detention Center since then. The court determined earlier this month that he is competent to stand trial.
Ohio law requires juvenile courts to transfer certain cases to adult court when specific criteria are met. This process, known as mandatory bindover, applies to 16‑ and 17‑year‑olds when there is probable cause they committed a Category 1 offense, which includes aggravated murder, murder, or attempted versions of those crimes. Once probable cause is established, the juvenile court must relinquish jurisdiction, and the case proceeds in adult criminal court.
Judge Jay Nixon found that the state presented evidence meeting this standard, triggering the mandatory transfer.
Court records show Hay has a long history of mental‑health challenges and has been treated by multiple providers. Testimony during the hearing included accounts from law enforcement officers, a forensic pathologist, a juvenile co‑worker, and Hay’s mother. Witnesses described inconsistencies between Hay’s initial statements and the physical evidence, as well as concerns about his mental state and past behavioral struggles.
Investigators outlined observations from the King Road residence in Howard, where the incident occurred, and reviewed an interview in which Hay acknowledged that his earlier account did not align with the evidence. Additional testimony referenced allegations of possible abuse at home and steps the family had taken to manage safety concerns.
With the bindover ruling issued, the case will now be presented to a Knox County grand jury. If an indictment is returned, the case will begin anew in Common Pleas Court, where arraignment, bond, and future proceedings will be set. Hay is scheduled to remain in juvenile detention until July 7.
