Ariz. Mom Wants Her Killer Boy Back in School

Nine-year-old pleaded guilty to fatally shooting his dad and a friend

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 4, 2009 6:00 AM CST

(Newser) – The mother of a 9-year-old Arizona boy accused of shooting to death his father and a family friend says her son should not have been allowed to plead guilty without her consent—and she wants him back in school, reports ABC News. The child avoided a murder trial by pleading guilty to the lesser charge of negligent homicide, and is back home. But he can't attend school until authorities determine he poses no threat to himself or others.

The mother said her son did not understand what he was pleading guilty to, or the concept of probation. Now she wants him back in the classroom. "Part of being a child is being able to be around other people," she said. The mother said she has yet to ask her son about the killings out of fear she may be forced to testify against him. The boy told police he shot both men with a rifle, taking time to reload.

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Friends at Vincent Romero's funeral service stand together around the hearse as Romero's casket is carried from the church. Romero's 9-year-old son pleaded guilty to negligent homicide in his death. (AP Photo / Dana Felthauser)

Vincent Romero, 29, and Timothy Romans, 39, were found fatally shot in this Arizona home. Romero's son, 9, told police he killed both men. (AP Photo/Dana Felthauser, File)

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CNN's Anderson Cooper talks with a legal expert about the plea agreement for the boy accused of killing his dad. (CNN Video)

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As long as we're going to continue to prosecute children, they're going to have to make that decision. That's what my young client wanted to do. - Ron Wood, the boy's attorney, speaking of the guilty plea

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 8 comments

Guest

Jul 10, 2009 10:54 PM CDT

She sounds like a good white trash mommy.

Guest

Mar 4, 2009 6:58 AM CST

sure sounds like the boy shot the wrong parent.

oldgoat

Mar 4, 2009 6:30 AM CST

Why wasn't she there? The boy had a attorney so I would think that since he was represented that the plea would be valid. However the school has a responsibility for the rest of the students and their safety. If this boy killed two men already for whatever reason why should anybody believe that he should be able to be with other kids safely? Sorry but Mom needs to home school him. She might also consider talking to him because she might find out that she might not be safe either. If my kids were going to his school and he was being let back in then my kids wouldn't be going there.

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Arizona • murder • probation • killings • shooting • boy • patricide • killer boy

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Ariz. Mom Wants Her Killer Boy Back in School