ST. JOHNS, Ariz. — A 9-year-old boy accused of methodically shooting his father and his father’s roommate to death last fall pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of negligent homicide, settling the case that shocked and mystified the nation.
Under a plea agreement, he pleaded guilty in the death of the roommate and charges of premeditated murder for both deaths were dropped. Police said the boy used a .22-caliber rifle to shoot the men as they returned home from work Nov. 5.
The boy’s plea spares the rural community of about 4,000 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.
He was polite in court and was never asked to explain any motive for the killings.
The boy has not yet been sentenced. He could be sent to the county juvenile system, which would keep him close to his relatives. Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting wants the boy to undergo extensive mental evaluations and treatment, an option allowed by the plea agreement.
No child 8 years old or younger committed homicide in the United States during 2005-2007, according to FBI statistics.
Defense attorney Ron Wood said the plea deal was a compromise that 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’s mother cried throughout the hearing and, through her lawyer, objected to the plea deal. But Superior Court Judge Michael Roca accepted it.
The boy was 8 when he was accused of shooting his 29-year-old father, Vincent Romero, and 39-year-old Timothy Romans, a co-worker who also rented a room from Romero.
Police in St. Johns found Romero and Romans shot to death after the boy ran to a neighbor’s house. He was questioned after Romans’ wife raised suspicions about him, and in a videotape released by prosecutors, he admitted pulling the trigger.
Police reports said the boy told a state Child Protective Services worker that his 1,000th spanking would be his last.
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