Missouri judge drops murder charges against boy, 11

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Jackson County authorities have dropped charges against an 11-year-old accused of killing a man.

A Jackson County Juvenile Court judge dropped the charges against the boy Friday. The Kansas City Star reports that Juvenile Officer Mary Marquez asked the judge that the charges be dropped because she said it was clear that the boy had been severely and chronically neglected.

The boy was one of the youngest ever to face a murder charge in Jackson County. He was accused of shooting 52-year-old David Paul Champ in early August.

Judge Marco Roldan withdrew the juvenile felony charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action against the boy, who has not been named because of his age. The judge let stand a child-in-need-of-care petition, which means the boy is eligible for treatment through the juvenile court.


Information from: The Kansas City Star, www.kcstar.com