Teen Accused In West Nashville Murder To Be Tried As Juvenile

NASHVILLE, TN -- Trinity Quinn, the 15-year-old girl accused in the May 2017 murder of a West Nashville gas station employee, will be tried as a juvenile, a Nashville judge ruled Friday.

Quinn was the subject of a statewide Amber Alert after it was reported she was abducted by 28-year-old John Stevens from her home in Rhea County; however, things quickly shifted after 58-year-old John Stevens was found shot dead inside the Exxon at the corner of Charlotte Pike and Davidson Road the night of May 1, 2017.

Investigators said the teenager shopped for a few minutes before Clark approached the counter and spoke with Stevens. He then raised his gun and fired and then pointed it at Stevens' head, according to police.

Surveillance footage shows Stevens attempt to knock away or grab the gun before Clark stepped back and shot Stevens several times, according to police, then pulled his body from behind the counter and rifled his pockets, taking keys, none of which fit any of the cars in the gas station parking lot.

A tow truck driver saw the teenager on the side of the road near the Charlotte-OHB intersection around noon May 2 and called police. A SWAT team surrounded an embankment near the roadside and the pair eventually surrendered.

Quinn's defense attorneys have argued that she was impressionable and under Clark's thrall, never fired a gun nor took part in the murder itself.

Quinn still faces homicide, especially aggravated robbery and attempted auto theft charges, but in juvenile court, which likely means a lighter sentence and the sealing of her record.

Photo via Metro Nashville Police