Arizona boy, age 8, accused of double homicide

What a horrible story. The boy is accused of killing his dad and a boarder at their house. Snip from the AP:

Arizona law generally holds that a child lacks competency to be held responsible for a homicide.

However, Melnick told the newspaper, “We think an exception can be made based on the facts and circumstances … This is precedent-setting. We're going to charge an 8-year-old with two counts of homicide."

Hat Tip: Many thanks, eephus

Comments

[Quad Kings]

Wow! That is a depraved heart. Not sure of the circumstances, but this kind of thing occurs when people rely on governments to teach their children right from wrong.

On the other hand, this little boy could have been the victim of terrible abuse at the hands (or other body parts) of the two men. If so, it's justifiable self-defense.

We may never know for sure. Our creator will sort it out in the end.

[eephus]

QK, that's a thoughtful post. It looks like the authorities have a good idea about what happened, or they wouldn't be planning to charge the boy with two counts of murder. You're right--we'll probably never know the entire story. If the boy is found guilty, what happens next?

[Steve]

Boy that's a leap, Quad Kings. People relying on the government to teach their children right from wrong? Spare us the knee-jerk reaction. You don't have any idea what actually happened, so you trot out the usual enemies. Idiotic blather.

[Searching]

Where is TT? I am waiting for him to figure out a way to blame the family court system for keeping his dad out of his life....
Oh, that's right.. they didnt.

There is NO way that anyone will convince me that an 8 year old truly knows the consequences for his actions. There is a lot that we dont know yet, but this is one troubled, very young child.

Unfortunately, it looks as though it will be left up to the government to teach him right from wrong and anything else that he needs to learn.

[Mike]

It's interesting how the severity of a crime determines whether a child may be charged as an adult. It is absolutely wrong that humans "play God" with the lives of others based on shear emotion.

[KCJoe]

The article actually said premeditated murder.

Full details of this case will never be shared with the public since it is a juvenille action.

Kids this age usually react from a "make it stop" stance rather than with malice and aforethought which is required for murder one in an adult or older juvenile.

Very sad situation. Nobody wins.

[Searching]

If kids are tried as an adult, why would the silence for a minor come into play?

[AH]

Just a suggestion of senario. Dad and border were lovers. Son was convinced that they were an abombination and should be wiped off the face of the earth. Asked dad to teach him how to shoot with this in mind. Whether or not the son realized that shooting them would kill or not depends on if the son believes his father would be reincarnated as a hetro.

Or like a lot of people the son did not think just did what the people around him talked about doing.