Will Accused Getaway Driver in Quick Murder Be Tried as Adult? Hearing Continues

Two psychologists testified Thursday that a 17-year-old girl accused of acting as the getaway driver in the killing of Caleb Quick showed mixed indicators on whether she should be tried as a juvenile or an adult, as prosecutors and defense attorneys continued a transfer hearing in Fresno County Superior Court.

The hearing, now in its third day, began at 9:06 a.m. before Judge Kimberly A. Gaab. Family members from both sides filled the courtroom.

Prosecutors called Dr. Blake Carmichael of UC Davis Children’s Hospital’s CARE Center as their witness. Carmichael said he conducts court-ordered evaluations involving juvenile risk, trauma, and forensic assessments and has completed roughly 35 transfer hearing evaluations over the past seven to eight years.

Prosecution’s Expert Did Not Interview the Teen

He testified that he was unable to interview the teen directly, but instead reviewed police reports, foster care records, detention summaries, therapy notes, and multiple videos connected to the case, including surveillance footage from a McDonald’s and surrounding streets. He also submitted a 16-page report to the court.

Carmichael outlined five criteria used in transfer evaluations: criminal sophistication, rehabilitation potential, prior history, prior juvenile court interventions, and the gravity of the offense. He said ultimate placement decisions rest with the judge.

He testified the case showed signs of planning rather than impulsive behavior, citing actions such as the teen asking about the victim’s whereabouts and coordination with the alleged shooter. He also said it was unclear whether she knew a firearm would be present, but noted the alleged shooter’s social media suggested access to a gun and that prosecutors alleged DNA evidence linked her to the weapon.

Kalich also testified that tensions involving a friend and alleged sexual videos used or threatened to be used against her from the victim were part of the background context she considered, suggesting the conflict may have contributed to the emotional circumstances surrounding the offense.

Expert Witness Details the Incident

Carmichael said the pair left the scene, went to another location, then returned, with the shooter changing clothes in between. He also testified about alleged post-crime behavior, including misleading statements at the Clovis McDonald’s where the homicide took place and attempts to dispose of the vehicle.

While the psychologist said there was evidence of intent to confront or intimidate the victim, he did not conclude there was intent to kill. He said juvenile jurisdiction remained possible but noted the severity of the offense could also support adult court.

Defense attorneys emphasized Carmichael’s findings that four of the five criteria favored juvenile court, arguing the shooting suspect was the driving force behind the crime and describing him as controlling. They also pointed to the teen’s lack of prior criminal history and positive behavior in detention.

Carmichael acknowledged limitations in his evaluation due to not interviewing the teen and said some conclusions could change with additional information.

The probation witness, Natasha Hill, who was the one who wrote the transfer hearing document, was scheduled to follow. However, the prosecution, in agreeance with defense, did not call the witness.

The court recessed until 1:30 p.m.

Defense Calls Their Witness

Dr. Lisa Kalich, a licensed forensic psychologist since 2007, testified she has completed more than 2,000 evaluations, including many involving juvenile transfer cases, and has worked for  prosecutors and defense attorneys, as well as the state Board of Parole Hearings.

Kalich said she evaluated the teen after reviewing police reports, detention records, therapist letters and adoption records. She also conducted a four-hour interview with the minor, administered psychological and risk assessments, and spoke with her parents.

She testified the testing did not indicate a diagnosable mental disorder, though she described the teen as more prone to risk-taking behavior. Overall, she said risk assessments showed few significant risk factors.

Kalich told the court the teen experienced a difficult early childhood, including prenatal exposure to methamphetamine, and adoption at about six months old.

Defense Expert Says Minor Should Stay in Juvenile Jurisdiction

Across all five statutory criteria used in transfer hearings, Kalich testified the case leaned toward juvenile court suitability. She said the teen shows strong potential for rehabilitation before age 25 and is highly responsive to treatment, noting her behavior in detention has been largely positive with minor disciplinary issues.

Kalich also testified the offense appeared more impulsive than planned, pointing to what she described as emotionally driven decision-making and a text exchange within 24 hours of the shooting that showed limited planning.

She said the teen had a close emotional relationship with the alleged shooter, describing them as “in love,” and testified that attachment issues and susceptibility to pressure played a role in her actions.

During cross-examination, prosecutors challenged her interpretation of criminal sophistication, arguing the concept can be subjective. They referenced her example of escalating criminal behavior — from minor theft to bank robbery — and questioned whether a serious offense such as murder could represent the starting point of sophistication. Kalich said she would need more information about the case to make that determination.

Prosecutors also pressed Kalich on risk assessment, arguing that even if testing shows low risk, it does not eliminate the possibility of reoffending. Kalich acknowledged that while no individual is “no risk,” her evaluation and research indicate the teen remains at low risk.

Reliance on the Alleged Shooter’s Relationship

They further questioned her reliance on the teen’s relationship with the alleged shooter in assessing risk and pointed to evidence of alleged planning and evasion that Kalich had not emphasized. Kalich described those actions as minimal and said it remained unclear how much the teen knew about any plan.

Prosecutors cited police reports and evidence, including DNA on the weapon and a shell casing recovered from the alleged shooter’s home, to argue the teen’s role may have been more significant. Kalich maintained there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the teen had intent to kill, suggesting the actions could have been aimed at intimidating the victim and that the teen may have been surprised by the shooting.

Kalich reiterated that, despite the seriousness of the offense, her assessment found the teen suitable for rehabilitation within the juvenile system and at low risk of committing a similar crime again, while acknowledging the possibility cannot be entirely ruled out.

The defense declined to conduct redirect examination, and Kalich was excused.

The hearing ended at 3:50 p.m. and is scheduled to resume Friday at 1:30 p.m.

Timeline of Murder

Quick, 18, was shot to death on April 23, 2025, outside of a McDonald’s restaurant in Clovis.

The Clovis Police Department described the April 23 homicide of Quick as “targeted and planned.”

Police responded to reports of gunfire near Willow and Nees avenues at 8:57 p.m.

Officers found Quick with a gunshot wound to the head. He was transported to a hospital, where he died.

Investigators said the suspects arrived in a 2024 white Tesla Model 3 at a McDonald’s restaurant around 7:44 p.m. and left the lot at 8:12 p.m. Quick arrived at 8:22 p.m., followed by the male shooting suspect, who headed toward the restaurant around 8:33 p.m.

The Tesla returned to the parking lot moments later and parked several rows away. Surveillance video showed the shooting suspect entering the McDonald’s at 8:38 p.m., sitting briefly and then following Quick outside.

Police said the shooting occurred as Quick approached his car. The shooting suspect fled west toward Fresno and climbed into the Tesla about a minute later. A handgun was recovered during a search warrant, Clovis Police Chief Curt Fleming said.

Surveillance footage showed the suspects leaving the scene before officers arrived.

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