In Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an eleven-year-old boy has been deemed capable of standing trial as an adult for first-degree reckless homicide by Circuit Court Judge Jane Carroll. The charges are related to the shooting and killing of his mother, which occurred in November 2022 when the boy was just ten years old. Prior to this decision, two psychologists presented contrasting views in front of Judge Carroll. One psychologist asserted that the child comprehends the court procedures and the charges brought against him, while the other contended that due to his young age, he lacks the understanding required for the proceedings.
At the time of the shooting incident, the boy asserted that he was playing with the gun, and it discharged accidentally, leading to his mother’s death. However, when his aunt arrived at the house to pick him up later, she noticed inconsistencies in his story. The boy had concealed the house keys, including the one required to access the lockbox where the gun was typically stored.
During the interrogation, he confessed to being upset with his mother for waking him up 30 minutes earlier than usual and for not purchasing a game for him from Amazon. He further stated that his initial intention was to shoot the wall close to his mother to frighten her, but tragically, she moved in front of him, resulting in her fatal injury.
The family was aware of the boy’s past of exhibiting disruptive and risky conduct. He mentioned experiencing five voices in his mind and held them accountable for his misdeeds. When he apologized for the tragic incident involving his mother, he displayed a lack of empathy. Additionally, family members revealed that he went on to order the game his mother had declined to purchase for him from Amazon, using her account after her passing.
Wisconsin stands out as one of only three states with stricter regulations concerning minors within the legal system. All seventeen-year-olds are automatically treated as adults in court proceedings. Furthermore, in specific cases involving severe offenses like first-degree reckless homicide, even children as young as 10 years old can face adult charges.
