Judge Advances Teen Girl's Transfer Hearing in Caleb Quick Murder Case

Prosecutors allege the 17-year-old girl was the getaway driver in the killing of Caleb Quick.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 2:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a silver revolver against a pitch-black background, the gun's metallic surface and intricate details sharply illuminated by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the intense investigation into the alleged murder weapon used to kill Caleb Quick.The alleged murder weapon in the Caleb Quick case, a silver revolver that belonged to the male suspect's late grandfather, is the focus of intense forensic scrutiny.Fresno Today

A judge ruled there is 'overwhelming circumstantial evidence' to see if a 17-year-old girl accused of being the getaway driver in the murder of Caleb Quick should be tried as an adult. The defense claimed the girl was made aware of an alleged rape committed by Quick, providing a potential motive, but the judge pushed back, citing a long list of evidence that supports the idea the girl played a key role in the murder.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex legal and moral issues around trying minors as adults for serious crimes, especially when the defendant's role may have been as an accomplice rather than the primary perpetrator.

The details

The judge cited evidence that the girl was inside the McDonald's at the time of the shooting, ran out to her parked Tesla despite her friend trying to stop her, picked up the male suspect down the street by honking her horn, and had her DNA found on the alleged murder weapon - a silver revolver that belonged to the male suspect's late grandfather.

  • The transfer hearing will continue on Thursday morning.
  • Two new witnesses are expected to testify at the continued hearing.

The players

Caleb Quick

The victim who was murdered.

Stephen Quick

Caleb Quick's father.

The 17-year-old girl

The accused getaway driver in Caleb Quick's murder.

The male suspect

The alleged shooter in Caleb Quick's murder.

The male suspect's brother

Testified that two guns, including the alleged murder weapon, were left in their home by their late grandparents.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The prosecution detailed that not even 15 minutes, that we've all known that it's actually been a few days, they've been planning this, and she was part of the plan the whole time.”

— Stephen Quick, Caleb Quick's father

“Motivation is not justification. These allegations, they just were allegations. They were inconclusive. There were no police reports against my son at all during this time.”

— Stephen Quick, Caleb Quick's father

“We're not saying she's innocent.”

— The defense attorney

What’s next

The transfer hearing will continue on Thursday morning, with two new witnesses expected to testify.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex legal and moral issues around trying minors as adults for serious crimes, especially when the defendant's role may have been as an accomplice rather than the primary perpetrator. The judge's decision to advance the transfer hearing suggests the prosecution has presented strong circumstantial evidence, but the defense maintains there is no proof the girl discussed a plan to kill Caleb with her boyfriend.