15-year-old to be tried as adult in murder of Austin-East student

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) - 15-year-old Rashan Jordan will be tried as an adult in the murder of 16-year-old Austin-East Magnet High School student Stanley Freeman Jr.

Freeman Jr. was shot and killed on Feb. 12, 2021. According to the Knoxville Police Department, Jordan and another minor fired several shots near Tarleton Avenue, one of which struck Freeman Jr. in his car as he was leaving the school. He then crashed his car and was pronounced dead.

At a Friday hearing, Judge Tim Irwin said the state cannot offer a rehabilitation program that would benefit Jordan, who has a history of criminal offenses. Jordan was given a psychological evaluation, during which he allegedly admitted to abusing substances and even stealing cars. Judge Irwin said the murder was planned and organized, describing the alleged murderers as “soldiers on a mission.”

Jordan also reportedly has a history of skipping school and gang association. According to the prosecution, Jordan often did not attend school, especially when Austin-East went virtual for the COVID-19 pandemic. Jordan also allegedly has a history of avoiding law enforcement. The prosecution also said that Jordan has a troubled family life, living with his grandmother after his parents had their troubles with substance abuse. However, they also argued that Jordan often left the care of his grandmother in favor of living with gang members.

While the defense argued that Jordan was not properly cared for or prepared to make “an informed decision,” the court ultimately decided he did not meet the psychological requirements to be committed to a mental health facility. The defense argued the opposite, saying Jordan was just a child that needed to be rehabilitated, a service he had previously only had while incarcerated.

Jordan, however, has a reported history of avoiding rehabilitation programs and was described as a “serious habitual offender.” The court argued that Jordan had previously chased other students to an Exxon gas station while armed with a gun.

Judge Irwin ultimately decided that Jordan’s acts were too violent to be tried in juvenile court, setting a $2.5 million bond. The bond covers the murder of Freeman Jr., as well as several other attempted murders Jordan has been associated with.

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