A preliminary hearing is scheduled next month for a teenager from St Joseph now charged as an adult with second-degree murder.

Buchanan County Judge Keith Marquardt on Friday found that Elijah Pickett was a  danger to society, and at the request of prosecutors, ordered Pickett held without bond pending a preliminary hearing October 13th.

Pickett is charged with 2nd-degree murder in a robbery gone bad that claimed Brian Ulmer’s life.

Witnesses identified him as one of three suspects who held several people at gunpoint during a robbery at a home in the two-hundred block of 16th Street on August 22.  Witnesses say when Pickett threatened to harm some children in the house, Ulmer tried to intervene on their behalf and was shot in the head three times.

No charges have been filed against the two other assailants.  Police say their investigation continues.

Buchanan County Prosecuting Attorney Dwight Scroggins requested that Pickett’s bond be denied.  Scroggins says the 16-year-old has an extensive juvenile record.  Judge Marquardt agreed and denied bail.

Lawyers in the case will meet for a status hearing September 30.  Theresa Lininger of the Public Defender’s Office will represent Pickett.