The prosecutor in the Vernon Bartley murder trial is asking a state judge to revoke bail for the confessed teenage killer before he is released from juvenile custody in less than two months.

Bartley, 17, is on trial in state court as an adult for murder, sex assault and other crimes for the May 25, 2007, strangulation of his Ewa Beach neighbor Karen Ertell, 51.

His bail is $500,000.

However, he is in custody at the Hawaii Youth Correctional Facility in Kailua for burglarizing Ertell's home on Oct. 1, 2006. Ertell was scheduled as a witness in juvenile court for the burglary when Bartley admitted strangling her.

Bartley is scheduled to be released from the youth correctional facility when he turns 18 on April 21.

The prosecutor said in court documents that Bartley poses a high risk of fleeing in case he is able to make bail, because he has no ties to the community other than his parents and siblings. He was born in American Samoa. He moved with his family to Hawaii from New Zealand.

The prosecution has completed presenting its case before the judge in the nonjury trial.

Bartley chose not to present his own evidence or witnesses.

Trial resumes today for legal arguments.