JUVENILE
HOMOCIDE
State v. Mason Somerset County District Court Skowhegan, Maine
Defendant Mason
acknowledged the killing by gunshot of his mother and brother. A tape recording captured the moments
immediately preceding the fatal shootings.
At issue was the bind over of this young man to stand trial as an adult and
thereby receive a minimum twenty-five year sentence. Expert testimony by Dr. Charles Robinson
addressed the issues of age versus maturity, dependence versus independence,
the special dynamics of family life, and the differing competencies of adults
and youth. Defendant Mason was sentenced
as a juvenile and received residential treatment for three years.
Defendant's Attorney:
Michaela Murphy, Esq.
Waterville, Maine
(207) 873-0781
(See also newspaper article "Mason ruled a juvenile)
State v. Curtis Knox County District Court Belfast, Maine
Jonathan Curtis
admitted the knifing death of his mother after a long night of drug and alcohol
abuse. At issue was
Jonathan’s status as a juvenile versus an adult (with adult status
necessitating a minimum twenty-five year sentence). The Defendant’s expert testimony
provided by Dr. Charles Robinson criticized the choice and utilization of tests
employed by the State’s psychological expert. Robinson further opined that Jonathan
(17 at the time of the offense) more closely resembled a juvenile than an adult
in terms of his psychological make-up.
Jonathan was tried as a juvenile and was committed to the care of the
State's juvenile correctional facility until his21st birthday.
Defendant's Attorney:
Peter Mason, Esq.
Searsport, Maine (207)
548-2589
(See also newspaper article "Age is factor for trial")