Posted in Felonies on February 25, 2014
Psychiatric experts have determined that Quincy Tuttle, 12, understood the difference between right and wrong while he was allegedly planning to murder a fellow student at his middle school in Vancouver. His Vancouver defense attorney says he will hire a defense expert to review the evaluation.
Tuttle intended to kill the student because he may have bullied Tuttle’s friend. Tuttle was arrested in late October 2013 when it was discovered by school officials that he was carrying a handgun, ammunition and kitchen knives on his person. He has been held at Clark County Juvenile Detention Center since his arrest.
The deputy prosecutor in the case is required to prove that Tuttle knew right from wrong because Tuttle was 11 years old at the time of the incident. State law stipulates that the prosecution bears the burden of proving the capacity (knowing the difference between right and wrong) of anyone who has committed a crime while they were between the ages of 8 and 11. Before Tuttle can be tried, both his capacity and competency must be established. The judge ruled in December 2013 that he was competent to stand trial despite his defense attorney’s argument that Tuttle is too young to assist in his defense.
A March 4 review hearing has been scheduled, during which the judge may rule on the defendant’s capacity and arraign him on several charges, such as felony first-degree attempted murder.
Source: The Columbian, “Experts: Tuttle knew right from wrong,” Paris Achen, February 25, 2014.
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