Teen accused of killing mom can’t be tried as an adult
Published 10:15 am Thursday, March 29, 2012
By Peggy Senzarino
OSAGE, Iowa — The rural Osage teen being accused of murdering his mother cannot be tried as an adult, according to a court official.
Mitchell County Attorney Mark Walk confirmed Tuesday that Noah Riley Crooks, 13, rural Osage, is in custody and said his office will prosecute the case against him.
A petition was filed in juvenile court Wednesday.
“Because of his age, that’s where everything has to start,” Walk said.
“Since he’s a juvenile, it’s not really a charge. It’s just an allegation that he committed a delinquent act,” Walk added.
Crooks is being held in the North Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in Waterloo in connection with the Saturday night shooting death of his mother, Gretchen Crooks, 37, rural Osage.
Under Iowa law, a juvenile has to be at least 14 years old to be waived to adult court, according to Jim Wilson of Juvenile Court Services in Mason City.
Walk believes Crooks would be eligible for “youthful offender status” under Iowa Code section 232.45.7.
“There’s a difference in opinions right now. Let’s put it that way,” Walk said. “Unfortunately, the statute is subject to more than one interpretation.”
The code section would require the court to waive Crooks, but it is unclear to where.
Under youthful offender status, Crooks would be under the supervision of the judicial system past his 18th birthday.
“The court will tell us whether it will or won’t,” Walk said. “Just because a court can waive him doesn’t mean it will waive him. That’s why you have the hearing.”
Crooks will be held in Waterloo indefinitely, according to Walk.
