A 12-year-old Wisconsin boy appeared in court last week, charged as an adult in the 2022 shooting death of his mother.
Noah Mann-Tate was 10 when he allegedly shot his mother, Quiana Mann, in the face at close range because she wouldn’t buy him a virtual headset. Two years later, a Miluwakee judge ruled that Mann-Tate’s case would remain in adult court despite his age, according to WISN.
Mann-Tate’s case is being handled in adult court, as all homicide cases are automatically sent there once a defendant turns 10.
READ: 10-Year-Old Who Killed Mom for Not Buying Him a VR Headset to Remain Jailed
Mann-Tate initially claimed he accidentally shot his mother while twirling the gun; he allegedly said he meant to shoot the wall to scare her.
After the shooting, police say he purchased an Oculus Virtual Reality Headset from Amazon. That same morning he reportedly attacked his 7-year-old cousin, leading his aunt to take him to his grandmother’s house, where child welfare workers were waiting.
The boy allegedly told his grandmother, “I’m really sorry for what happened. I’m sorry for killing my mom,” before asking if his Amazon package had arrived.
According to police, the boy stated that he understood guns can kill people. Mann had set up cameras around the home, but they were unplugged at the time of her shooting death.
Mann-Tate, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, remains jailed without bail. He is due in court next month.
In a statement issued to Crime Online, Mann-Tate’s attorneys explained that the court denied their prior request to move the case to juvenile court.
They said, “Instead of considering the overwhelming scientific evidence about brain development, mental health, and the unique rehabilitative needs of youth, the process only considers the seriousness of the charges, adequacy of treatment in the adult system, and the need for deterrence, leaving no room for the child’s humanity or potential for healing.”
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[Feature Photo: Facebook]
