Mo. teen charged as adult in Ohio drifter's death

MEXICO, Mo. – A 17-year-old Missouri boy faces adult charges in the death of an Ohio drifter whose body was found in the refrigerated compartment of the teenager's father's tractor-trailer.

Ethan Lee Harvey initially was charged in juvenile court because he was 16 when 20-year-old William James Boyd McNeely was killed in December 2009.

Juvenile authorities say those charges were dismissed Monday and that the Audrain County prosecuting attorney can now file charges of second-degree murder, kidnapping and armed criminal action.

One of Harvey's brothers pleaded guilty in the killing. His parents and a younger brother await trial.

Harvey's father, C.J., says McNeely hurt his family. McNeely's family says he wouldn't hurt anybody.

The teen's attorney, Benjamin Gray, says he and his client are waiting for the next step in the process.