Boy guilty of murdering his neo-Nazi father

[ellisonz]

By Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times

January 14, 2013, 10:27 p.m.

A Riverside County judge on Monday found a 12-year-old boy responsible for murdering his neo-Nazi father, taking a swipe at both the family and social workers for failing to protect the troubled youngster before he felt compelled to reach for a gun.

"There were so many warning signs,'' Superior Court Judge Jean P. Leonard said from the bench.

But the judge said the evidence showed that the Riverside boy, who was 10 years old when he pulled the trigger, possessed the mental capacity to know that killing his father was wrong. He plotted the murder and then tried to conceal his guilt by stashing the .357 magnum revolver under his mattress, Leonard noted.

Leonard found the boy guilty of second-degree murder and of using a gun while committing a felony.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-neo-nazi-guilty-20130115,0,2412218.story

I really have problems with finding a 10-year-old boy raised in such a situation capable of making decisions in the context of knowing right and wrong - I suppose that is nullification, but at the very least, I hope this judge will not choose to imprison him until he is 23. I particularly find Judge Leonard's statement that "This is not a naive little boy unaware of the ways of the world" to be of questionable determination. I am really disappointed that the county prosecutors thought it was necessary to try and judge this boy to achieve justice.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I agree with your points, my dear ellisonz.

I too hope he won't be imprisoned until he is 23. That would only harden him.

He obviously needs intervention, and I hope he gets it.

K&R

[ellisonz]

2. I haven't read anything about him having any good family...

...He's going to be institutionalized whether he goes to social services or prison. Sadly, in our state, neither is a good option.

I find it really amazing that they didn't plea bargain this out. Was it really necessary to go the full nine yards with this trial?

[Mojorabbit]

3. It is terribly sad all the way around. Sigh. nt

[Separation]

4. I'm confused

It said the judge found him guilty. He didn't have a trial by jury? If so that's interesting, after hearing about this case I would be hard pressed to find him guilty. Maybe a lesser charge, hopefully the sent acid phase goes better for him.

[ellisonz]

5. He wasn't tried as an adult.

This was an "adjudication hearing" in county juvenile delinquency court - his peers would be 10-year-olds. He's facing incarceration to age 23.

[Separation]

6. That explains it.

Thanks for the clarification. Shitty situation all around.

[ellisonz]

7. You're welcome.

Crappy situation indeed. IMHO Jeff Hall was no victim and this child is no murderer.

[ellisonz]

8. Kick