15 year old pleads not guilty in murder trial
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15 year old pleads not guilty in murder trial

Date: November 18, 2009
By: Rebecca Beitsch
State Capitol Bureau

Intro:  A 15-year-old Cole County girl plead not guilty to killing her 9-year-old neighbor. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:33
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Alyssa Bustamante will be tried as an adult in the murder trial of Elizabeth Olten. Police have accused the 15 year old of strangling, stabbing, and cutting the throat of her 9-year-old neighbor. 

A police officer testified earlier that Bustamante told investigators she wanted to know what it felt like to kill someone.

Cole County Circuit Court Judge Patricia Joyce entered a not guilty plea for Bustamante, who was without a lawyer.  

If convicted, Bustamante could face life in prison without parole.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:  In a story gaining national attention, a 15-year-old Cole County girl plead not guilty to killing her 9-year-old girl. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:37
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Alyssa Bustamante will be tried as an adult in the murder trial of Elizabeth Olten. Police have accused the 15 year old of strangling, stabbing, and cutting the throat of her 9-year-old neighbor in St. Martins, Missouri. 

One of those who attended the hearing was Jody Nichols. She said she was shocked to learn the identity of the accused killer.

Actuality:  NICHOLS.WAV
Run Time:  00:06
Description: "When I was out on the search team, I mean I was just sure it was going to be a sex offender that picked her up off the road or something. I was very shocked."

Bustamante has been charged with murder and armed criminal action and could face life in prison without parole if she is convicted.

From the state Capitol, I'm Rebecca Beitsch,Newradio 1120 KMOX.

Intro:  A 15-year-old Cole County girl will be tried as an adult in the murder of her 9-year-old neighbor. Rebecca Beitsch (BYE-tch) has more from Jefferson City.
RunTime:  0:41
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: As Alyssa Bustamante stood wearing handcuffs, a number of people came to the Cole County Courthouse wearing pink ribbons in memory of 9-year-old Elizabeth Olten who died October 21.

Bustamante has been charged with the murder and will stand trial as an adult.

One of those wearing a pink ribbon was Maggie Fowler who says she knows Bustamante from school. She said she is supportive of her classmate being tried as an adult.

Actuality:  FOWLER1.WAV
Run Time:  00:07
Description: "She murdered somebody. It's like whatever they call it in business law. If they make an adult crime, they should be considered an adult."

Police said Olten was strangled and stabbed. If Bustamante is convicted, she could face life without parole.

From Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Beitsch, Newsradio 1120 KMOX.