Hearing set to try ML boy as adult

EPHRATA - Both prosecution and defense asked for another delay for a hearing to determine whether or not a 14-year-old Moses Lake boy will be tried as an adult in the shooting of his parents.

The next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 9 at the Grant County Juvenile Detention Center in Ephrata.

Grant County Assistant Prosecutor Steven Johnson and defense attorney Lylianne Couture said expert witnesses scheduled to testify at the hearing were not ready in a status hearing held Monday. The prosecution's witness determined he wanted to talk to the boy's parents, Johnson said. Couture said the defense's expert witness also asked for more time.

Both attorneys suggested Sept. 9 for the new hearing date, and Judge Pro Tem Carl Warring agreed.

The boy is accused of shooting his mother and father, Elizabeth and Jon Brooks, March 8 after being disciplined. According to the police report, the boy broke into a locked gun case and removed a .22 caliber pistol, loaded it and went into his parents' bedroom. He shot them both as they lay in bed, according to the police report.

The boy's mother and father were transported to out-of-area hospitals.

The boy was charged with two counts of attempted murder and remains in custody. The court has granted visitation rights to the parents, but the visits must be supervised and no one can discuss the case.