Boy's taped confession won't be used in Arizona

9-year-old murder suspect's taped confession won't be used in his trial in Arizona

By FELICIA FONSECA Associated Press Writer | AP

Jan 7, 2009

See All

Email To A Friend

Please fill in the following information and we'll email this link.

(FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.) In a dramatic police interview that gripped viewers nationwide, a 9-year-old boy sitting in an overstuffed chair told investigators that he shot his father and another man, then buried his head in his jacket and said, "I'm going to go to juvie."

But that videotaped interview likely won't be a part of the trial.

Defense lawyers had asked an Apache County judge to suppress any statements the boy made to police or while in custody, arguing the boy was illegally questioned without an attorney or family member present.

Prosecutors said unless the boy takes the stand in his own defense and contradicts the statements, they had no objections to the motion.

The hourlong interview was one of the first items released by prosecutors, and it wasn't long before the country learned about the shocking double homicide in the small eastern Arizona community of St. Johns.

Defense attorney, Benjamin Brewer, questioned the validity of the so-called confession early on and said detectives lied to the child in pursuit of incriminating statements. Prosecutors said although they agreed to suppress the statements, their decision doesn't mean they agree the statements were illegally obtained.

Member Comments

Posted By: I-Read @ 11/09/2008 9:35:41 AM

This may seem to be jumping to conclusions, but in a society where it's almost impossible for a father to gain sole custody of a child, one has to wonder about the Romero family history. I have an eight-year-old who can very readily relate even the most minute experiences of his life, so I hope someone is able to reach this child and find out what's been going on in his life. For a boy with no record of disciplinary prob,lems, even at school, it's quite unlikely he decided on a whim and in an instant to become a "problem child." Actions such as this can only grow out of pent-up anger or a complete lack of knowledge about guns -- and from what we've heard so far, the latter is highly implausible.
Posted By: Miss_Lola @ 11/09/2008 9:11:05 AM

Ah, yes, but haven't you heard? "Guns don't kill people; people kill people."

This is a sick society, obsessed with guns. The day after Obama was elected, there was a RUSH to gun stores down here in Georgia---they are worried that their "rights" to own a gun will end.

Too bad they won't-I guess we'll just keep reading about people killing each other!
Posted By: oscarlei @ 11/09/2008 8:55:07 AM

When will America realize that gun ownership has a direct link to all those violence and crime being committed all over the country.? I hope President-elect Obama will have the courage to put a stop to this insane obsession with guns - news has it that many are on a gun-buying spree, fearing an Obama administration will crackdown on gun-ownership. As for Mr. Romero, I feel more pity for his son.