6-YEAR-OLD SHOOTER MAY BE TRIED AS ADULT

(Jefferson City, Missouri) This story is troubling. A six-year-old boy, who allegedly shot and killed his grandfather, James Zbinden, could be charged as an adult according to Cole County Circuit Judge Pat Joyce. The minimum age for adult certification is 12 but there are exceptions in cases of first-degree murder, second-degree murder and first-degree assault.

Officials are said to be "wrestling" with the case.

(Update 11/26/03) From the Jefferson City newspaper:

The 6-year-old Jefferson City boy suspected of killing his grandfather last week will not face criminal charges, Winston Rutledge of the Prenger Family Center said Friday.

Nor will the boy stand trial as an adult, he added.

"This decision was reached based on available information, including the age of the juvenile, as well as other factors," said Rutledge.

Hopefully, the boy will be better supervised in the future.