12-year-old denies charge: A 12-year-old California boy who is accused of murdering his sister last month denied the charges against him.
The lawyers for the boy, who was called Isaiah F. in court, denied the murder of Leila Fowler, his 8-year-old sister who was found dead in their family’s Valley Springs home in April.
“Our view of the case hasn’t changed,” lawyer Mark Reichel said outside the courtroom, according to the Reuters news agency. “We got in believing our client was innocent, and as we stand here, that’s what we believe.”
While in court, Isaiah F. was shackled and spoke little.
“We’re concerned about whether or not a 12-year-old can actively participate in his own defense,” Reichel added.
If convicted, Isaiah F. could be imprisoned until he is 23 years old.
Law enforcement authorities said that more than 2,000 hours have been spent on investigating the case, reported ABC’s News 10 television. Reichel said he believes it will take around five times as long to prepare the defense for the boy.
Isaiah F. will continued to be held at juvenile detention facility in Placerville, Calif.
