Suspect In Murder Of Texas Freshman Indicted For Capital Murder: Reports

The 17-year-old suspect in the April murder of a University of Texas freshman was indicted by a Travis Country grand jury Friday on a capital murder charge, according to multiple reports.

Haruka Wiser, an 18-year-old dance major from Portland, Oregon, was found dead in a creek on campus in April. Austin Police arrested Meechaiel Criner after surveillance showed him burning what authorities said was evidence of the crime.

According to the indictment, Criner sexually assaulted Winer before strangling her, KVUE reported. The capital murder charge includes the rape, but because of his age, Criner does not face the death penalty, the Austin-American Statesman reported.

Wiser was walking to her dorm from a class in UT's drama building, police said, when she was killed. Surveillance video showed a young male following a young woman, holding a "shiny, rigid object." In the next available footage, police said, the man was seen walking alone, this time with a limp, holding a duffel bag that belonged to Wiser.

Criner was arrested in connection with the crime and placed in Travis County Jail, where he remained Friday.

Friday afternoon, UT President Gregory L. Fenves issued a statement reacting to the indictment.

"As our campus continues to mourn the loss of Haruka Weiser, I deeply appreciate the tireless work of law enforcement and the district attorney's office to investigate and prosecute this crime," Fenves said. "University police continue to coordinate closely with Austin police and the Travis County district attorney on this case."

Criner had been in the state's foster care before running away. He was taken to a homeless shelter in South Austin before Wiser's death occurred.

• Read more from the Statesman here.
• Read more from KVUE here.

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>>> Tony Cantu contributed to this report