Burlington boy who killed parents will not face adult court - The Denver Post

Burlington boy who killed parents will not face adult court - The Denver Post

BURLINGTON — A 12-year-old boy accused of killing his parents and gravely wounding two siblings will spend seven years in juvenile detention, but will avoid adult charges in the case.

The announcement was made during a news conference this morning by 13th District Attorney Bob Watson and Daniel King, the chief trial deputy for the Colorado Public Defender's Office.

"There has to be some type of middle ground in this case," Watson said. "In making this decision I told my office I would not make the deal until I have all the information. "

At the same time, Watson acknowledged that a majority of the boy's family wanted to see him face adult sanctions, including the possibility of life in prison.

In considering a transfer to adult court, Watson was required to consider several factors including the seriousness of the crime, the mental health and maturity level of the juvenile the best interest of the juvenile and the safety of the community.

The boy, who was 12 years old at the time of the crime, is being held on a juvenile-delinquency petition alleging two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of attempted murder and three counts of first-degree assault.

On March 1, Charles Long, 50 and his wife Marilyn, 51, were found shot to death inside their Burlington home. The two youngest children, Ethan and Sarah, were stabbed and assaulted with a knife.

The boy, whose name is being withheld by The Denver Post because he is being treated as a juvenile, was taken into custody that night and transferred to juvenile detention the next day.

The two younger siblings have since recovered from their injuries and are living with their uncle in Missouri.

The boy's disposition hearing is set for Sept. 28.

Charles Long's sister Deborah Long is among those family members unhappy with the decision.