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No adult court for teen shot at by cops

By Sam Womack
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

An Omaha teenager won't be tried in Douglas County District Court in a drug arrest that turned dangerous for her and police.

Laura M. Kramer, 17, originally was charged as an adult with four felonies following a Dec. 20 incident in which police opened fire on her vehicle near Standing Bear Lake in northwest Omaha.

On Monday, a judge agreed to move Kramer's case to Juvenile Court, where sentences focus on rehabilitation as opposed to punishment.

"It's a good thing, because they have the resources to help kids and that's what she is," said Kramer's lawyer, Joe Howard.

Kramer is charged with fleeing police, possession of a controlled substance, tampering with evidence and failure to stop and render aid.

She and two friends, all seniors at Marian High School, were parked at Standing Bear Lake Park near 144th and Fort Streets when two officers approached.

Kramer panicked and began to flee in her car. One officer said to avoid being run over, he jumped on her vehicle's hood.

The two officers fired a total of 25 bullets toward the vehicle.

A police pursuit ensued, during which Kramer is accused of tossing drug paraphernalia out the window of her car.

If found responsible for the four charges, Kramer could face a number of possible actions, including probation, placement in a group home for treatment or detention at a Youth Center until she reaches the age of 19.


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