Murder case against boy, 10, moved to juvenile court

HONESDALE, Pa. (AP) – The case against a 10-year-old Pennsylvania boy accused of fatally beating a 90-year-old woman has been moved to juvenile court.

The Times-Tribune (http://bit.ly/13Tp1mc ) reports that Monday’s ruling came after a prosecution psychiatrist testified the boy would benefit most from treatment in the juvenile system.

Wayne County chief public defender Scott Bennett has said there’s “no real question” the boy beat Helen Novak on Oct. 11 at the home of his grandfather, Novak’s caretaker.

Authorities say he lost his temper when she yelled at him, held her down with a cane and punched her.

He was charged as an adult with criminal homicide and held away from the general population at Wayne County’s adult jail.

Bennett says the boy needs mental health help. It wasn’t immediately clear where he’ll be housed next.