Boy, 9, charged over accidental shooting in US
Source: Agencies |
February 25, 2012, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A FRIGHTENED nine-year-old American boy accused of accidentally shooting a classmate sat before a judge in juvenile court, crying and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, as his father gently rubbed his back.
Thursday's scene in Washington state raised questions the court must decide: Did the boy know what he did was wrong? And is anyone else responsible?
Documents filed when the boy was charged say the gun fired on Wednesday after the boy slammed his backpack down on a desk. Eight-year-old Amina Kocer-Bowman remained in critical condition.
The boy was charged with unlawful possession of a gun, bringing a dangerous weapon to school and third-degree assault. Bail was set at US$50,000.
Ultimately, the court will determine whether the case against the boy will continue. He will not be arraigned until the court determines whether he has the capacity to understand that what he did was wrong.
"I just want everyone to know that my kid made a mistake. It was a terrible mistake," the boy's father, Jason Cochran, said outside the courthouse in Port Orchard.
Authorities say the boy brought a .45-caliber handgun he got from his mother's house, and the weapon discharged just before classes let out.
Under state law, children between 8 and 12 years old can face charges if a court determines he or she has the capacity to understand that what he or she did was wrong.
Thursday's scene in Washington state raised questions the court must decide: Did the boy know what he did was wrong? And is anyone else responsible?
Documents filed when the boy was charged say the gun fired on Wednesday after the boy slammed his backpack down on a desk. Eight-year-old Amina Kocer-Bowman remained in critical condition.
The boy was charged with unlawful possession of a gun, bringing a dangerous weapon to school and third-degree assault. Bail was set at US$50,000.
Ultimately, the court will determine whether the case against the boy will continue. He will not be arraigned until the court determines whether he has the capacity to understand that what he did was wrong.
"I just want everyone to know that my kid made a mistake. It was a terrible mistake," the boy's father, Jason Cochran, said outside the courthouse in Port Orchard.
Authorities say the boy brought a .45-caliber handgun he got from his mother's house, and the weapon discharged just before classes let out.
Under state law, children between 8 and 12 years old can face charges if a court determines he or she has the capacity to understand that what he or she did was wrong.
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