Teen suspect in Liberty man's torture, death stays in juvenile court

A judge has ruled that a 16-year-old accused in the death of a Liberty man who was bound, stabbed and left to bleed to death in a restroom will remain in juvenile custody.

The youth faces charges of first-degree murder, felony kidnapping, robbery and three counts of armed criminal action in the death of 58-year-old Mark Thomas, who was found dead last weekend in a restroom at Smithville Lake.

A Clay County judge ruled Thursday after a brief hearing.

Another hearing will be on Feb. 6 to determine if the boy will face charges as an adult.

Police say Thomas was attacked while driving two acquaintances of a family member home last Friday.

Twenty-year-old Zachary Lisle is charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping and robbery in Thomas' death.

This story was originally published January 10, 2014 at 8:40 AM with the headline "Teen suspect in Liberty man's torture, death stays in juvenile court."