Teenager accused over expat gun death to be tried as an adult

Judge's ruling means suspect will face stiffer sentence if convicted of shooting 23-year-old 50 days before turning 16

- BILLY GADDI

A TEENAGER accused of gunning down a Scots expat in the US is set to go on trial for murder as an adult.

Rory Swimm was shot through the heart in Salt Lake City, Utah, in October last year.

The Dundee-born 23-yearold, whose family are from Glasgow, died at the scene.

A 15-year-old schoolboy was identified as the suspect.

He was meant to be charged as a juvenile, limiting the potential sentence if he was found guilty, because the incident took place 50 days before his 16th birthday.

However, a judge has ruled he will be tried as an adult, meaning he will face a sentence of 15 years to life if he is convicted of first-degree murder.

Rory's mum Susan Swimm said: "I feel a tremendous amount of relief. We have been living in a complete state of torture waiting to find out what this judge was going to rule.