Day 3 in reverse waiver hearing for boy, 12, charged with killing his mom

 

WAUWATOSA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The 12-year-old boy charged with killing his own mother in Milwaukee appeared in a Wauwatosa juvenile court again on Monday, April 29, for the continuation of a reverse waiver hearing.

The first couple of days took place in early March, when two psychologists were brought in to testify on their expertise, as well as the boy's father.

Last July, the judge deemed the minor competent to stand trial as an adult after hearing multiple doctors testify during the summer. Shortly after that decision however, the boy's attorneys filed a reverse waiver report in hopes of keeping him in juvenile court with the main reason being having access to treatment in the long run.

On Monday, the defense, which had closed its case in March, asked to reopen it and have more witnesses testify with new data to submit into evidence.

The boy's attorneys, Tanner Kilander and Angela Cunningham, asked for at least 60 days to collect more data and line up a list of witnesses. The state did not object but did have concerns.

"In reality, they've been given a second chance, and the state's not objecting to that, but we need to do it in the most efficient manner that we can, and I just don't think it's reasonable to go beyond 45 days at this point," said Assistant District Attorney Sara Waldschmidt.

Doctor Karyn Guest-Brey evaluated the minor back in February and again in April of last year. Her report concluded the 12-year-old was competent to stand trial as an adult. On Monday, she was brought in to testify a second time.

CBS 58 News also spoke to a man who came to the hearing. Garland Hampton said he's trying to help save this boy's life because he too was convicted as an adult, at the age of 14, on a first-degree intentional homicide charge.

"It's like déjà vu, I know exactly what he's going through. I know his feelings, I know the whole process of seeing psychologists and psychiatrists locking him up in isolation, the whole nine yards. It is trauma, this is most definitely trauma for a kid and it's too much for him," he said. "There is no adequate treatment he would receive or get that's conducive to his developmental stage of every level and stage of his life."

The judge ruled the reverse waiver hearing will continue in late June.

The boy faces a felony count of first-degree intentional homicide, which could mean life in prison for the minor.