Jackson teen to be tried as adult for car wash shooting

Jonathon D. McClard of Jackson, the 16-year-old accused of shooting and wounding another teen three times in a love-triangle dispute at the Shawnee Square Car Wash in Jackson, will be tried as an adult for the crime.

Circuit Judge Scott Thomsen this morning certified McClard as an adult for allegedly shooting Jeremy D. Voshage, 17, also of Jackson.

McClard was arrested on a Cape Girardeau County warrant on charges of first-degree assault and armed criminal action, the same offense with which he was previously charged as a juvenile for the crime.

The certification hearing was held at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse after McClard's attorney requested a change of judge, though normally the case would have been heard in juvenile court.

The shooting occurred July 10 around 6:30 p.m. at the four-bay car wash on Shawnee Boulevard.

According to Karen Oberman, Voshage's mothers, the two teenagers had been at odds for several weeks because Voshage had begun dating McClard's former girlfriend.

McClard had threatened to kill Voshage, Oberman said, but her son did not take the threats seriously.

Voshage told police he had showed up at the car wash to meet with McClard.

A probable-cause statement signed by Lt. Rodney Barnes of the Jackson Police Department said McClard confessed to shooting Voshage and told police where to find the .22-caliber rifle he said he used.

He had taken the gun from his father's house, according to the probable-cause statement.

Video surveillance at the car wash recorded McClard at the scene prior to the shooting.

Judge Thomsen ruled that McClard should stand trial as an adult because of the "forceful, vicious nature" of the allegations and because McClard has a lengthy juvenile record that reflects numerous attempts at rehabilitation have been unsuccessful, according to the judge's order.

"Because of the nature and seriousness of the crime, this case did not beelong in juvenile court," said Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle.

The victim's mother said Thursday she knows the McClard family and can sympathize with what they are going through.

"I don't think it's a victory in anybody's case," she said after McClard was certified as an adult.

Voshage suffered gunshot wounds to the ankle, groin and midsection. Doctors were unable to remove bullets from the midsection and groin, and Voshage remains mostly paralyzed. There has been some improvement, his mother said.

McClard was transported to the Cape Girardeau County Jail after the hearing. His bond was set at $250,000.

BDicosmo@semissourian.com

335-6611 Ex-245