Butler County prosecutors want a 16-year-old boy tried as an adult in the brutal assault of an elderly nursery owner in Summit Township last week.

The attack left 74-year-old Louis E. Heasley Jr. hospitalized with serious brain and spinal cord injuries, state police said.

Assistant District Attorney Russ Karl said the "severity of the crime" is why he filed a petition this week to transfer the case from juvenile to adult court.

Authorities believe Heasley was attacked April 26 on his 400-acre nursery on Freeport Road in Summit Township during a confrontation with the boy, who was riding a dirt bike on the man's property.

The Butler Eagle is not identifying the suspect due to his age. He turns 17 on May 25.

Police only a week ago filed felony assault and other charges against the boy in juvenile court.

But state law allows prosecutors to immediately charge minors as adults in certain serious crimes, or if the suspect was previously charged with a felony.

So now a transfer hearing in county court will be held later this month to determine if the 16-year-old's case should remain in or be moved out of juvenile court.