Mystery surrounds 8-year-old's double murder

updated 5:11 a.m. ET Feb. 20, 2009

ST. JOHNS, Ariz. - The charges against a 9-year-old Arizona boy in a double homicide that shocked the United States have been resolved with a guilty plea to a single count of negligent homicide, but the mystery surrounding the case remains.

No one inside or outside of 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 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 where the boy entered the plea, little was said regarding the death of the boy's father, 29-year-old Vincent Romero.

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.

Prosecutors and defense attorneys struggled with what to do with a child who was charged with murder while he was so young. No child 8 years old or younger committed homicide in the United States during 2005-2007, according to FBI statistics.

Gag order
Details in the case were sparse from the beginning as a result of a gag order. Defense attorney Benjamin Brewer said that although the public has a strong appetite for details, it's unlikely that will be satisfied.

"That information is probably never going to come out," he said.

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 plea 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 spares the community from what would have been an emotional trial and prevents the boy from serving time in the state juvenile corrections system or being tried as an adult.

Defense attorney Ron Wood said the deal wasn't expected to please everyone.

"I don't know it was the best thing. That remains to be seen," he said. "This resolution of the case causes more potential for working out in (the boy's) favor."

The boy hasn't been sentenced, but Wood said he would fight to keep the boy out of a county juvenile detention facility, although that is an option under the plea deal.

Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting wants the boy to undergo extensive mental evaluations and treatment.

The boy's mother cried throughout Thursday's hearing, and through her lawyer, objected to the plea deal. But Superior Court Judge Michael Roca accepted it.

MORE FROM CRIME & COURTS

Crime & courts Section Front

Families see justice in sniper’s execution Alleged shooter tied to mosque of 9/11 hijackers Fort Hood rampage brings prayers, questions Suspect identified in Seattle police killing Alleged Fort Hood shooter's lonely life Killings unsolved as sniper execution nears High court to look at life in prison for juveniles Prosecutors seek journalism students’ grades Onlookers flock to site of Cleveland killings Clear warning signs, Hasan's colleagues say Crime & courts Section Front   Add Crime & courts headlines to your news reader: