The Associated Press | Posted: Thursday, September 29, 2005 12:00 am
GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) - Prosecutors on Wednesday charged a 14-year-old boy with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 9-year-old boy, which could result in a life sentence for the teen if convicted.
Eric Alan Stoneman is believed to be the youngest person charged with murder in the 9th Judicial District, said District Attorney Colleen Truden.
Stoneman faces the charges in the July 20 slaying of Taylor DeMarco, who was shot once in the chest at a home in Battlement Mesa.
"The aggravated circumstances and deliberate intent speak for themselves," Truden said after a court hearing. Truden said she will not seek the death penalty, but said the first-degree murder charge carries a mandatory life sentence.
Stoneman would have faced a maximum seven years in prison if charged as a juvenile.
Taylors mother, Wendi Robyn, told the The Daily Sentinel in Grand Junction that she felt it was the right decision to charge Stoneman as an adult.
"It doesn't help with our loss," said Robyn, who now lives in Fruita. "To me, this is totally separate from Taylor's death, and I dont give a whole lot of thought about the case. I'm still in mourning and in grief."
A 13-year-old witness told investigators that he, Stoneman and Taylor were playing when an argument broke out and Stoneman left and returned with a .22-caliber automatic pistol. The witness originally told investigators that Stoneman forced Taylor to beg for his life, but he later changed his story.
Stoneman told police it was an accident.
Sheriff's Department Detective Bill Middleton said in an affidavit for a search warrant that the shooting occurred in the living room of the 13-year-old boy's home, and Taylor then ran outside to the front gate, tried to open the gate, then ran back toward the residence before he collapsed and died on the top porch step.
Stoneman also faces felony charges of manslaughter, first-degree assault, menacing with a deadly weapon as well as misdemeanor charges of possession of a handgun by a juvenile, prohibited use of a weapon and discharge of that weapon, and resisting arrest.
Wednesday's hearing was held under tight security after Taylor's father, Bill DeMarco, had to be held back from Stoneman during another hearing in July.
Stoneman was being held without bond a juvenile detention center.