8-Year-Old Arrested In Double-Homicide

[kattitude]

An 8-year-old Arizona boy may face double-murder charges in the shooting death of his father and another man at the family residence, The Arizona Republic reported Friday on its Web site.

St. John Police Chief Roy Melnick "We're going to charge an 8-year-old with two counts of homicide."

Boy may face murder charges in fatal shooting of father, boarder

[Heidi J.]

I have no words..

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by kattitude

White Mountain Independent

Good grief.......when is this ever going to end. The murderers are getting younger and younger.

It looks like he lay in wait and most likely killed his father as he slept and then waited for the coworker of his dad's and shot him before he could even get in the door.

He probably killed him so he wouldn't discover his dad's body.

So sad.........it is a scary scary world.

imoo

Originally Posted by kattitude

White Mountain Independent

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow at the Apache County Juvenile Court in St. Johns where a judge will have to decide if the youth should remain in custody or be released.

"Released?" They wouldn't dare release him, would they?

[Jayne]

I agree Gentlebreeze..

it is horrifying to think that children turn to violence..and why? jealousy? parental alienation? discipline at home? too much youtube? (sorry, maybe that wasn't fair...but I do wonder..) They made find some sort of home abuse having been going on as well. Not that it justifies it, but in the mind of an 8 year old..maybe it would..were that the case.

Really sad..for everyone involved.

[kattitude]

Originally Posted by Joan Weiss

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow at the Apache County Juvenile Court in St. Johns where a judge will have to decide if the youth should remain in custody or be released.

"Released?" They wouldn't dare release him, would they?

I tried to find information about the hearing but I couldn't find anything. Was hoping someone else might be able to.

[joolz]

This is in no way intended as a defense of the boy, but how stupid do you have to be to leave a gun where an eight year old can get hold of it?

[Amy S.]

I am familiar with the area and it is not uncommon for an 8 YO to have his own rifle. I am not saying that is what happened, but I am willing to guess that not too many people lock up their guns in the White Mountains.

Of course, I wouldn't have a gun anywhere near an unstable child, but maybe his folks didn't know.

I will be waiting for more information to come out about this.

I do know a 9 YO that threatens to murder his mother. So, you just never know.

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by Jayne

I agree Gentlebreeze..

it is horrifying to think that children turn to violence..and why? jealousy? parental alienation? discipline at home? too much youtube? (sorry, maybe that wasn't fair...but I do wonder..) They made find some sort of home abuse having been going on as well. Not that it justifies it, but in the mind of an 8 year old..maybe it would..were that the case.

Really sad..for everyone involved.

Well Hi there, Jayne. LTNS!

You know I have researched so many of these cases in recent years that involved young murderers and the ones I have read about they weren't abused. They were undisciplined, unruly, spoiled and seemed to be an angry group when they didn't get their way about the simplest of things or if they were told no for some reason. Their motives are beyond trivial that it is mind boggling.

Their reasons have run the gambit and leaving me speechless at times. I have read some happening because they were mad that they had to do chores, didn't get to date a person that the parents didn't think were good for them, didn't get the car when they wanted to and some killed thinking it would give them financial freedom by getting the assets of the murdered parent or just thought the parent was an obstacle in their way to play and have fun or do as they pleased. It really is terrifying.

Parents seemed to have become targets and I have noticed if the parent or parents tries to set guidelines for the child the more rage they seem to exhibit.

Years ago in my hometown a 13 year old boy murdered his mom and little 5 year old sister. He had no remorse whatsoever and still doesn't.
They interviewed him years ago and ask him why he would do such a thing. His flat unemotional tone I can still remember. He simply said "my mom wanted me to watch my little sister while she did yard work and told me to take the trash out and I was tired of her telling me to do chores and my little sister bugged me." Paraphrasing. That was it.........as if it meant nothing at all. He still exhibits no remorse. It is like they are dead people walking around with no conscience or soul.

I will never understand them and I really don't want to either for I then would have to think like them and that is just not in the realm of possibilities.

Imo, abused children do not murder that often but most abuse victims will endure the abuse until they are of age where they can leave the abusive environment.

imo

[Kether]

There is something way off about this whole story. This article gives quite a bit more details than any of the others that I have found. Odd that this child has NEVER been in trouble at school. Odd that there has NEVER been any reports to CPS. Odd that the mother of the child was at the home the weekend of the shooting but left soon after to go back to Mississippi.

http://ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=986865

[velvetbrown]

Originally Posted by Kether

There is something way off about this whole story. This article gives quite a bit more details than any of the others that I have found. Odd that this child has NEVER been in trouble at school. Odd that there has NEVER been any reports to CPS. Odd that the mother of the child was at the home the weekend of the shooting but left soon after to go back to Mississippi.

http://ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=986865

Couldn't get page to open...So, Mom didn't have custody? Dad given custody? Mom LEAVES state when 8yo arrested? Oh yeah, typical family dynamics...

[Kether]

Originally Posted by velvetbrown

Couldn't get page to open...So, Mom didn't have custody? Dad given custody? Mom LEAVES state when 8yo arrested? Oh yeah, typical family dynamics...

Yes, according to this article the father had custody. The mother had been visiting for the weekend and went back home to Mississippi, but she did return back to Arizona after the child was arrested.

[Kether]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...urder1108.html

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by velvetbrown

Couldn't get page to open...So, Mom didn't have custody? Dad given custody? Mom LEAVES state when 8yo arrested? Oh yeah, typical family dynamics...

I think the mom came this past weekend from MS then she returned but came back to AZ after he had murdered them.

imo

[GentleBreeze]

Was the father remarried?

http://ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=986865

Police arrived at the victim's house he shared with his wife within minutes of the shooting Wednesday, said Roy Melnick, St. Johns police chief. They found one victim just outside the front door and the other dead in an upstairs room.

It isn't that unusual anymore for the father to have custody of the children and raise them in his home.

imo

[Kether]

According to the last article posted, there is a step mom. She wasn't home at the time of the incidence. According to the comments of some of the articles, it is clear to see that both families involved were very beloved by the community. One person on the comments sections claims this all was over the child being upset about his report card.

[Jayne]

Originally Posted by GentleBreeze

Well Hi there, Jayne. LTNS!

You know I have researched so many of these cases in recent years that involved young murderers and the ones I have read about they weren't abused. They were undisciplined, unruly, spoiled and seemed to be an angry group when they didn't get their way about the simplest of things or if they were told no for some reason. Their motives are beyond trivial that it is mind boggling.

Their reasons have run the gambit and leaving me speechless at times. I have read some happening because they were mad that they had to do chores, didn't get to date a person that the parents didn't think were good for them, didn't get the car when they wanted to and some killed thinking it would give them financial freedom by getting the assets of the murdered parent or just thought the parent was an obstacle in their way to play and have fun or do as they pleased. It really is terrifying.

Parents seemed to have become targets and I have noticed if the parent or parents tries to set guidelines for the child the more rage they seem to exhibit.

Years ago in my hometown a 13 year old boy murdered his mom and little 5 year old sister. He had no remorse whatsoever and still doesn't.
They interviewed him years ago and ask him why he would do such a thing. His flat unemotional tone I can still remember. He simply said "my mom wanted me to watch my little sister while she did yard work and told me to take the trash out and I was tired of her telling me to do chores and my little sister bugged me." Paraphrasing. That was it.........as if it meant nothing at all. He still exhibits no remorse. It is like they are dead people walking around with no conscience or soul.

I will never understand them and I really don't want to either for I then would have to think like them and that is just not in the realm of possibilities.

Imo, abused children do not murder that often but most abuse victims will endure the abuse until they are of age where they can leave the abusive environment.

imo

I understand, GB, and I agree with it, even the final sentence...most abused children (and adults) that I've 'seen/encountered' do endure it and many adults don't leave (have worked with battered women groups, which include men, too).

And, I do think, as you described, there are a lot of children who just seem to have this "hatred" in them and defy parental authority, and the ways the laws are these days a parent can hardly discipline a child (and I don't mean corporal necessarily) without the child calling 911 or reporting it at school. The parents are put between a rock and a hard place with children who are "difficult" but not necessarily "bad" kids. IMO, there is an upswing of Parental Abuse going on...in different forms, mostly psychological and verbal. Kids today seem to know how to push the buttons and keep them down with an actual or silent threat to their parents. Sort of a "Make me do it" attitude. Being a single parent myself, I understand how difficult it can be setting parameters but not able to be Home 24/7 to make sure they are abided by. I'm thankful my teen, although not consistently keeping up with the few "chores" or even his own "needs to do" things, is a good kid and we are able to sit down and talk things through when he gets "ticked" or I get totally frustrated.

I'm way old-fashioned I guess. I do my best to limit or let's say Monitor my kid's YouTube...and definitely monitor his Friends, there's so much going on today in the internet, schools, community, etc. that it's like being a policeman. I'd give anything to have computers illegal for anyone under the age of 18 unless accompanied by an adult family member. I know that sounds ridiculous...I'd like to see all porno..soft, hard, and inbetween banned from the internet, as well as "violence". I'd like to see the movie industry change their ratings...G is fine if it's really G. R is R..no provisos..simply R and not to be viewed by anyone under a particular age.

But my "likes" will never happen..and so I and so many parents will have to continue to monitor their children and Pray that outside influences as well as whatever is going on in the household isn't enabling the children to become "out of control".

I don't remember the statistics..but I think it is something close to: A child's Character is developed in the first 3-5 years of life. I deliberately did not work, depleted all my savings, to be home 24/7 with my child until I had to return to work when he was almost 4..but made it PT and spent a lot of time the next two years before FT and hired a responsible "nanny type" to be there during work hours. I had no parents/grandparents or spouse around to help. Never would I blame families who shuffle their kids off to daycare...it CAN work. But this splitting up of families and absence of parent or parents..it has to affect kids..and lead to the Spoiling, undiscipline, unruly, etc. that you spoke of.

I drive my kid to school every morning and pick him up. Yesterday, I observed two "youths" get into their big ars truck and SPEED out the driveway (left rubber on the road)..just missing the side of my car as my kid was getting in our car. The principal was out there..gave a "look" toward the speeding truck. I wonder if those kids will be suspended? I doubt it. I'm thinking...Thank God I pick my kid up and am there 2 minutes early from "let out". 30 years ago..I'd have stepped outside my car..said something to those kids or taken down their license number. (Actually back in MA..I did it once..I was a teacher...two hours later when I went to leave the school..all 4 of my tires were Slashed.) If I did that today..my and my kid's life could be in danger. Because..they'd know it was Me..not the Principal who reported them.

I'm afraid for families today...and children like this little 8 yo. Why did he do it? Did he realize what he was doing? This isn't a cartoon..they don't come back next Saturday on TV.

This 8 yo may lie within what you've posted and what I agree with...yet, there may have been something going on..not that it justifies it..no way.

I wonder..the biological mom visits..leaves..then comes back after the murder (according to another post). What happened while she was visiting? and the Step Mom (another post)..where was/is she?

I wonder if the boy didn't want (or think he wanted) to be with his biological mom...and figured this was his way out and back to mom? Or did Mom do it? (or enable it?) Bad timing for mom.

No accusations..just thinking..

jmo

J

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by Kether

According to the last article posted, there is a step mom. She wasn't home at the time of the incidence. According to the comments of some of the articles, it is clear to see that both families involved were very beloved by the community. One person on the comments sections claims this all was over the child being upset about his report card.

OMG, Kether. I hope that doesn't turn out to be true.

To murder rather than let the father know he had made bad grades? If so, I guess he knew that he would be put on restriction or had been put on restriction if the dad already knew about them and he just wasn't going to stand for that.

As I said their motives so many times are just mind boggling.

imoo

[Kether]

Originally Posted by GentleBreeze

OMG, Kether. I hope that doesn't turn out to be true.

To murder rather than let the father know he had made bad grades? If so, I guess he knew that he would be put on restriction or had been put on restriction if the dad already knew about them and he just wasn't going to stand for that.

As I said their motives so many times are just mind boggling.

imoo

I can't accept at this point that this is over a report card. I noticed this in one article.

Melnick said police had responded to calls of domestic violence at the Romero home in the past, but police were searching records Saturday to determine when those calls were placed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/.../child_charged

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by Kether

I can't accept at this point that this is over a report card. I noticed this in one article.

Melnick said police had responded to calls of domestic violence at the Romero home in the past, but police were searching records Saturday to determine when those calls were placed.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/.../child_charged

It seems if the domestic calls involved the boy there would be complaints filed.

From one of the articles you linked.

"The boy had no disciplinary record at school, and there was no record of complaints with Arizona Child Protective Services."


May have been domestic disputes with his ex wife.

imoo

[forensicfan]

Originally Posted by Jayne

I understand, GB, and I agree with it, even the final sentence...most abused children (and adults) that I've 'seen/encountered' do endure it and many adults don't leave (have worked with battered women groups, which include men, too).

And, I do think, as you described, there are a lot of children who just seem to have this "hatred" in them and defy parental authority, and the ways the laws are these days a parent can hardly discipline a child (and I don't mean corporal necessarily) without the child calling 911 or reporting it at school. The parents are put between a rock and a hard place with children who are "difficult" but not necessarily "bad" kids. IMO, there is an upswing of Parental Abuse going on...in different forms, mostly psychological and verbal. Kids today seem to know how to push the buttons and keep them down with an actual or silent threat to their parents. Sort of a "Make me do it" attitude. Being a single parent myself, I understand how difficult it can be setting parameters but not able to be Home 24/7 to make sure they are abided by. I'm thankful my teen, although not consistently keeping up with the few "chores" or even his own "needs to do" things, is a good kid and we are able to sit down and talk things through when he gets "ticked" or I get totally frustrated.

I'm way old-fashioned I guess. I do my best to limit or let's say Monitor my kid's YouTube...and definitely monitor his Friends, there's so much going on today in the internet, schools, community, etc. that it's like being a policeman. I'd give anything to have computers illegal for anyone under the age of 18 unless accompanied by an adult family member. I know that sounds ridiculous...I'd like to see all porno..soft, hard, and inbetween banned from the internet, as well as "violence". I'd like to see the movie industry change their ratings...G is fine if it's really G. R is R..no provisos..simply R and not to be viewed by anyone under a particular age.

But my "likes" will never happen..and so I and so many parents will have to continue to monitor their children and Pray that outside influences as well as whatever is going on in the household isn't enabling the children to become "out of control".

I don't remember the statistics..but I think it is something close to: A child's Character is developed in the first 3-5 years of life. I deliberately did not work, depleted all my savings, to be home 24/7 with my child until I had to return to work when he was almost 4..but made it PT and spent a lot of time the next two years before FT and hired a responsible "nanny type" to be there during work hours. I had no parents/grandparents or spouse around to help. Never would I blame families who shuffle their kids off to daycare...it CAN work. But this splitting up of families and absence of parent or parents..it has to affect kids..and lead to the Spoiling, undiscipline, unruly, etc. that you spoke of.

I drive my kid to school every morning and pick him up. Yesterday, I observed two "youths" get into their big ars truck and SPEED out the driveway (left rubber on the road)..just missing the side of my car as my kid was getting in our car. The principal was out there..gave a "look" toward the speeding truck. I wonder if those kids will be suspended? I doubt it. I'm thinking...Thank God I pick my kid up and am there 2 minutes early from "let out". 30 years ago..I'd have stepped outside my car..said something to those kids or taken down their license number. (Actually back in MA..I did it once..I was a teacher...two hours later when I went to leave the school..all 4 of my tires were Slashed.) If I did that today..my and my kid's life could be in danger. Because..they'd know it was Me..not the Principal who reported them.

I'm afraid for families today...and children like this little 8 yo. Why did he do it? Did he realize what he was doing? This isn't a cartoon..they don't come back next Saturday on TV.

This 8 yo may lie within what you've posted and what I agree with...yet, there may have been something going on..not that it justifies it..no way.

I wonder..the biological mom visits..leaves..then comes back after the murder (according to another post). What happened while she was visiting? and the Step Mom (another post)..where was/is she?

I wonder if the boy didn't want (or think he wanted) to be with his biological mom...and figured this was his way out and back to mom? Or did Mom do it? (or enable it?) Bad timing for mom.

No accusations..just thinking..

jmo

J

OMG! You said what I wanted to say about discipline but was too chicken to say it about the laws these days regarding discipline. I am not talking about whipping the kids but I was spanked as a child and I turned out fine. My parents were very loving and kind parents. They never abused me. I did get spanked if I did something bad and believe me I had to push my dad's buttons hard before he would actually spank me. I got threatened with DCFS for swatting my daughter (when she was 3 or 4) on the behind once in Blockbuster. What the woman who threatened to call didn't know was that before Blockbuster, we were in Jewel and my daughter waited until I got all of my stuff onto the belt before running away towards the exit door. She did this twice. I was pretty steamed by the time we got to Blockbuster and she did it AGAIN.

I think the lack of discipline has a lot to do with the lack of control over the kids behavior nowadays.

This story seems to have a bit more to it than what is being reported but we'll just have to wait and see.

[gorbal]

I had a roomate once who tried to kill her dad when she was nine; he had raped her. I also played ping pong once with a guy who killed his father for the same reason. (I spend one school year at funny farm for kids). I can't believe this supposedly nice kid would kill his dad unless something really awful was happening.

People say some kids are evil; in my experience I have seen more evil parent's.

[Amy S.]

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/08/....ap/index.html

The family priest knew that the young boy was being taught to hunt.

8 years old...third grade!!! There is something way beyond bad grades, bad attitude or spoiled kid going on here.

Think back to when you were 8 years old.

My best friend moved away when I was 8. She moved from Logan, Utah to Orem, Utah...but in my mind it was Oregon. (same difference...it was a million miles away.)

I cried and didn't understand why I was so sad...I was embarassed by my tears.

Think about it...I was the same age as this child who killed. Do we really believe he understood the ramifications of his actions? Even if he kinda did...should he endure adult punishment for the actions of a childish mind?

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index...ylist=national

Priest: Slain dad had taught boy, 8, to use guns
11/8/2008, 8:36 p.m. EST
By FELICIA FONSECA
The Associated Press

ST. JOHNS, Ariz. (AP) — A man who police believe was shot and killed by his 8-year-old son had consulted a Roman Catholic priest about whether the boy should handle guns and had taught him how to use them, the clergyman said Saturday.

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by Kara

8 years old...third grade!!! There is something way beyond bad grades, bad attitude or spoiled kid going on here.

Think back to when you were 8 years old.

My best friend moved away when I was 8. She moved from Logan, Utah to Orem, Utah...but in my mind it was Oregon. (same difference...it was a million miles away.)

I cried and didn't understand why I was so sad...I was embarrassed by my tears.

Think about it...I was the same age as this child who killed. Do we really believe he understood the ramifications of his actions? Even if he kinda did...should he endure adult punishment for the actions of a childish mind?

They aren't trying to impose adult punishment. If tried he will be tried in juvie court.

So he could have killed 40 people and he will be out at 18 or 21 at the latest and even if this goes to trial it will be a couple of years or more imo.

The 8 year old child of yesteryear is gone Im afraid........replaced are children that know so much more and aren't as naive as they use to be. They are constantly brainwashed with video games, television shows and sometimes little structure in the home and then too much it seems and the child seems to be enraged if they are expected to have any guidelines set for them.

Who really knows why this boy killed. The motives are as vast as an ocean and just as turbulent.

imoo

[GentleBreeze]

Originally Posted by Joan Weiss

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index...ylist=national

Priest: Slain dad had taught boy, 8, to use guns
11/8/2008, 8:36 p.m. EST
By FELICIA FONSECA
The Associated Press

ST. JOHNS, Ariz. (AP) — A man who police believe was shot and killed by his 8-year-old son had consulted a Roman Catholic priest about whether the boy should handle guns and had taught him how to use them, the clergyman said Saturday.

Maybe it is because I am from the South and hunting is a very big tradition here but youngsters hunting is not that big of a issue to me. We have about 7 murders per year and it is adult on adult crime.

Our little nephew this morning got a 9 point buck.

My husband has been hunting ever since he was a young boy as many men and women have down here most of their lives.

It is sad that this boy chose to make the hunting and game weapon into a weapon against another human being. I am sure his father had taught him gun safety.

imoo

[Kether]

Originally Posted by GentleBreeze

It seems if the domestic calls involved the boy there would be complaints filed.

From one of the articles you linked.

"The boy had no disciplinary record at school, and there was no record of complaints with Arizona Child Protective Services."


May have been domestic disputes with his ex wife.

imoo

That is what I was thinking. Or maybe domestic disputes with the new wife.

[Kether]

Originally Posted by Joan Weiss

http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/index...ylist=national

Priest: Slain dad had taught boy, 8, to use guns
11/8/2008, 8:36 p.m. EST
By FELICIA FONSECA
The Associated Press

ST. JOHNS, Ariz. (AP) — A man who police believe was shot and killed by his 8-year-old son had consulted a Roman Catholic priest about whether the boy should handle guns and had taught him how to use them, the clergyman said Saturday.

My opinions on hunting are somewhat mixed. If it is for food, then I don't have a problem with it. If it is for sport, well, that is another matter. I especially don't like teaching children hunting for sport. It should never be fun to kill something, IMHO. What kind of a message does that send to a child?

[airportwoman]

There's some chatter that this was an accident. One person dead, I could believe that. Not with two.

I'm guessing that something went on that we don't know about just yet.

[justaguy]

according to what i just heard on fox...the cutoff in this state is 8 or above ie he could be tried as an adult. i just can't support that. on the oter hand..there ARE dangerous children. i have thought a compromise wold be tried and sentenced as juvenile but..a team of professionals has to decide whether at 21 to release him or to a hospital for offenders. but i am sure there are all sorts of laws to deal with regarding that.

[Jayne]

Originally Posted by GentleBreeze

They aren't trying to impose adult punishment. If tried he will be tried in juvie court.

So he could have killed 40 people and he will be out at 18 or 21 at the latest and even if this goes to trial it will be a couple of years or more imo.

The 8 year old child of yesteryear is gone Im afraid........replaced are children that know so much more and aren't as naive as they use to be. They are constantly brainwashed with video games, television shows and sometimes little structure in the home and then too much it seems and the child seems to be enraged if they are expected to have any guidelines set for them.

Who really knows why this boy killed. The motives are as vast as an ocean and just as turbulent.

imoo

ITA, GentleBreeze..and BTW..you write so very well! I always enjoy reading your posts...you should write articles/books

My 15 yo is in many ways like I was at 15..shy, quiet, and with a refreshing sense of humour, but..as you said, influenced by TV, video games, and doesn't like when the single mom guidelines are repeated when not followed. I'm telling ya, it's tough being a single working mother, long days on the job, child at home several hours before I get home, and having no "back-up" as to rules and discipline. ITG my kid is who he is and isn't a problem..oh, we go through the "teen" thing and wanting to push my buttons, etc. but I'm grateful he's my son. Before I had him, not too much scared me - and I worked in a fairly dangerous job. Now? Much different and I truthfully say that I am scared of many of the kids out there today...to the point that I have, unlike me and me in my prior days, turned my head rather than say a thing when a kid is riding their skateboard on the sidewalk (against the law here) and the one time recently that I did when 3 were kicking up their boards around our cars in the business parking lot, I got looks "to kill". And, the security guard just "stood there" who is supposed to "police" the area. I don't understand kids...and I don't think it's because I'm OLD...because I can get downright silly right along with mine and his friends and have intelligent discussions with them that they appreciate (or so I think).

I wish...ridiculously...that we could turn back the clocks about 40-50 years, in a sense, so my kid and others could grow up like we did..like the one poster said about when s/he was 8. I loved school and looked forward to dinner at home with mom and dad and baby brother after school..the Sunday school picnics..the Rare movie trip to the drive-in..and the restricted times to watch healthy TV shows. And, maybe the worst thing a child/teen might have done was to get caught smoking behind the shed or playing trick-or-treat by leaving a bag of manure on someone's front step or TPing their car - as a joke - not to be malicious.

This little 8 yo...whether or not he knew the consequences of his actions...if it was his "intent", he needs to be prosecuted and rehabilitated...and it breaks my heart to even think about it. Then, again, he may not be all that "innocent" in several ways. I can't remember the case..but it was a young kid..maybe 11? at the time who viciously killed another boy who had been riding his bike..this was years ago...I was mesmerized (maybe not the correct wording), shocked, disturbed, heartstricken over the whole thing..especially for the victim, yes, but the perpetrator as well...What would drive a child to violence? Bad enough that adults can be so vicious and cruel...is it because kids today feel they are already "grown up" and "in control"? Is it the laws in place that protect the kids (I'm not saying there shouldn't be laws to protect children) to the tune of the kids "taking over" their parents?

if I'm asking stupid questions...

jmo
J

[Jayne]

Originally Posted by snowbird01

But I think that when kids are raised in a violent - or even verbally abusive homes they lose their childhood very quickly, don't you think? They have to feel grown-up and in-charge sometimes to survive. We may never know all the facts about what this boy's life was like at home - but most families manage to muddle along without having to call the police in, don't they? And why did the father have full custody? - that is unusual. And why would the mother live in another State from her child? Was she afraid of her ex? How often did she see the boy? It always just amazes me when couples break up and one moves away from the child or children.

I don't get it either..or maybe you do and I just don't.

How a parent..mother or dad..would deliberately move away from the custodial parent, and not be close to his/her child? Maybe it is abuse..maybe it was "abandonment"? Hate to even think that...but maybe so...under whatever circumstances were going on there?

Something here/there..is going to come out...why..by "fortune" was the biological mother there..visiting..the Murder happened...she left..then came back when she (?) found out?

If I were the LE or the Defense atty..I'd be checking out Mom.. And, I'm not being mean or accusatory...it can be totally circumstance..or maybe not. [being a mother ... I'd never be far away from my child ... ever ... nor would I "set it up" ... something here..in the fantasy realms of my mind says Mom...should be investigated. And..on the otherhand...I pray for her...as it may be a situation where she had "nothing to do with it" but has a child now...being prosecuted for murder of his father and a "renter".

Billy Holiday..God Bless the Child...



j

[Marfa]

I wonder if the boy was on any kind of anti-depressants?!?

[Alibar]

Originally Posted by Kether

There is something way off about this whole story. This article gives quite a bit more details than any of the others that I have found. Odd that this child has NEVER been in trouble at school. Odd that there has NEVER been any reports to CPS. Odd that the mother of the child was at the home the weekend of the shooting but left soon after to go back to Mississippi.

http://ktar.com/index.php?nid=6&sid=986865

I think the wording is confusing where the article tells of the mother's visit from Mississippi. The way I read it, the mother had returned to Mississippi the weekend prior to the shootings, but, immediately returned to Arizone after the shootings. Had the report been written more clearly there wouldn't be confusion, but, hey, that's how it is in many instances. )))))

[Jayne]

Originally Posted by Alibar

I think the wording is confusing where the article tells of the mother's visit from Mississippi. The way I read it, the mother had returned to Mississippi the weekend prior to the shootings, but, immediately returned to Arizone after the shootings. Had the report been written more clearly there wouldn't be confusion, but, hey, that's how it is in many instances. )))))

I think there is a good chance..that mamma did this..
or had her child do it"

????]

[Kether]

Originally Posted by Marfa

I wonder if the boy was on any kind of anti-depressants?!?

Good question!

[Kether]

Originally Posted by Jayne

I think there is a good chance..that mamma did this..
or had her child do it"

????]

With the information that we have been given right now, any theory is plausible. I think when all the information comes out we will still have trouble grasping the facts surrounding this. The answers are all going to sound hollow and senseless, unless abuse is mentioned. I can't imagine a child doing this without having some real emotions to push him over the edge. Of course, there is always cases without a real reason or cause. Those I find the most disturbing. There had to be warning signs, IMHO.

[BorderCollieMom]

Police in this small eastern Arizona community are looking into the possibility that an 8-year-old boy who is charged with killing his father and another man with a ...
news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/ap_on_re_us/child_charged

Abuse possible ?

"Melnick said police got a confession, but Brewer said police overreached in questioning the boy without representation from a parent or attorney and did not advise him of his rights."

Does this bother anyone else but me? Whether this boy is guilty or not, he should have had someone there with him, to look out for his best interest IMO. An 8 yr old can't possibly understand all the implications of what he is saying to the police and who's to say he wasn't coerced?? This "confession" should NOT be allowed in a court of law. I can't believe it's legal to do this with a monor at all, but an 8 yr old? No.