The Wisconsin teenager charged with murdering his 10-year-old cousin, Lily Peters, in 2022 pleaded guilty to first-degree intentional homicide on Wednesday. He received a life sentence in prison.
Now 18, Carson Peters-Berger was just 14 when he committed the crime in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Under the terms of his sentence, he can request release to extended supervision after 25 years.
Chippewa County Judge Steven Gibbs accepted the plea deal and handed down the sentence on August 26, as reported. As part of this agreement, two charges—first-degree sexual assault and first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13 causing great bodily harm—were dropped.
The plea agreement puts a close to a case that was gearing up for a trial set for November. Earlier this month, a hearing was scheduled to discuss possible resolutions, suggesting that the case might wrap up without needing a jury to weigh in.
Lily had gone missing on the evening of April 24, 2022, after not returning home from her aunt’s house. Her bicycle was located near a wooded area, and her body was found the next morning.
Investigators identified injuries consistent with blunt-force trauma to her head. A forensic autopsy revealed signs of manual strangulation and sexual assault, according to a decision from the Wisconsin Court of Appeals.
During police questioning on April 26, 2022, Peters-Berger stated that he and Lily were riding along a trail when he suggested exploring the woods. He admitted to punching her in the stomach, hitting her on the head with a stick, and strangling her until she appeared lifeless.
An appellate court later noted that Peters-Berger told police he rode a hoverboard while Lily rode her bike and had intended to kill her before they left the house.
The complaint further indicated that Peters-Berger attempted to sexually assault Lily and, after discovering she was missing, returned to the site, moved her body several feet away, and covered it with leaves.
Initially, Peters-Berger faced multiple charges, including first-degree intentional homicide and first-degree sexual assault. Since the homicide charge was involved, the case was treated within the adult court system from the beginning.
His attorneys later sought to transfer the case to juvenile court, arguing he wouldn’t get proper mental health treatment in the adult system. However, Judge Gibbs denied this request in January 2024 after a three-day hearing aimed at determining whether to keep the case in adult court. He acknowledged the valid concerns raised but ultimately decided that moving the case would not accurately reflect the severity of the alleged offenses.
A ruling by the Wisconsin Court of Appeals supported Gibbs’ decision in September 2024, affirming his authority to keep the case in adult court.
Peters-Berger’s attorneys have been contacted for remarks regarding the case.
