Mystery remains in Ariz. boy's case may never be known
ST. JOHNS, Ariz. — The charges against a 9-year-old Arizona boy accused in a double homicide that shocked the nation have been resolved. But the mystery surrounding the case remains.
No one inside or outside the Apache County courthouse on Thursday ever addressed what led to the Nov. 5 shootings of the boy's father and the father's roommate at their home in this rural community of about 4,000.
The boy, who pleaded guilty to a single count of negligent homicide, acknowledged he did something risky and dangerous that ended the life of the roommate, 39-year-old Timothy Romans, but he was not asked to explain any motive for the killing, nor have police discussed one.
During the hearing when the boy entered the plea, little was said regarding the death of the boy's father, 29-year-old Vincent Romero.
Details in the case were sparse from the beginning as a result of a gag order. .
Police said the boy, who was charged with two counts of premeditated murder, used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot the men as they returned home from work. Under the agreement, the boy pleaded to a reduced charge in Romans' death, and the charge stemming from his father's death was dropped.
The boy's plea prevents the boy from serving time in the state juvenile corrections system or being tried as an adult.
The boy is due back in court for a presentencing hearing on March 5. Under the agreement, the boy will receive diagnostic evaluations and mental health examinations when he's 12, 15 and 17. The reviews are intended partly to determine whether the boy will pose any danger in the future.
The boy was 8 when he was accused in the double homicide. Police in St. Johns found Romero and Romans shot to death after the boy ran to a neighbor's house. Authorities didn't initially consider him a suspect, but he was questioned again after Romans' wife raised suspicions about him. In a police interview released by prosecutors, the boy admitted pulling the trigger.
Police reports say the boy told a state Child Protective Services worker that his 1,000th spanking would be his last.
