17-year-old charged in St. Cloud alley killing

Colton Gleason
Colton Gleason of Greenfield, Minn., died Sept. 20, 2012 after he was punched and fell, hitting his head on the pavement, in an alley in St. Cloud. A suspect has been charged in the incident.
Photo courtesy of the St. Cloud Police Department

Stearns County prosecutors Tuesday charged a 17-year-old with murder for allegedly punching and killing a college student in a St. Cloud alley last week.

Colton Gleason, 21, died Friday after an encounter Thursday night in which a vehicle passed close by him and some friends who were walking in the alley.

Court documents say the 17-year-old defendant told the driver of the vehicle to stop. The defendant got out and allegedly walked up to Gleason and punched him in the head. Gleason dropped to the ground. Court documents say the defendant got back in the car and "indicated that he had punched the guy."

The Stearns County Attorney charged the boy with one count of second degree murder, one count of first degree manslaughter and one count of first degree assault.

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According to police and court documents, Gleason was transported to the hospital where he regained consciousness, but died Friday from his injuries.

The County Attorney has petitioned the court to try the boy as an adult. A judge has ordered the defendant remain in custody.

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