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Jailed Mo. teen takes education request to the state Supreme Court

St. Louis Public Radio
Published Oct. 7, 2010 at 8:28 a.m. CDT

By AP/St. Louis Public Radio

Jefferson City, MO – A 16-year-old Missouri girl charged with killing her 9-year-old neighbor has asked the Missouri Supreme Court to allow her to continue her education while she's in jail.

In briefs filed with the state's highest court, attorneys for Alyssa Bustamente argued that state law entitles any child to a free education. They Bustamente to be able to access distance-learning classes.

Cole County has argued that Bustamente can access the GED courses available to any other inmate. Two lower courts have agreed with Cole County's position.

Bustamente will be tried for first-degree murder as an adult for the October 2009 slaying of Elizabeth Olten, who lived near Bustamente in a small town outside Jefferson City.

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