1/3/10Son charged with murder in Sunday shooting

  • Nick Sabo
  • January 3, 2011
  • 385
                        
BIG PRAIRIE—A 10-year-old boy was brought before a Holmes County judge Monday/Jan. 3 on a murder charge that alleges he shot and killed his mother. Joseph A. McVay, 10, 13194 Township Road 511, entered the equivalent of a not guilty plea before Juvenile Court Judge Thomas C. Lee to one count of murder. If convicted, he faces incarceration up to age 21. The charge alleges that Joseph shot and killed his mother, Deborah L. McVay, 46, 13194 Township Road 511, Sunday at their residence. According to Holmes County Sheriff Tim Zimmerly, Joseph fatally shot Deborah McVay in the forehead with a .22 caliber rifle. The shooting occurred at approximately 6 p.m. after son and mother had an argument about chores, Zimmerly said. “There was an exchange of words and he grabbed the gun and shot her,” Zimmerly said. “She wanted him to bring in some firewood and that is apparently what set him off.” Deputies were contacted after Joseph went to a neighbor’s residence and said he shot his mother and needed an ambulance. Deborah McVay was found dead in the living room of her residence. Joseph was detained at the Richland County Juvenile Detention Center following the shooting. A 15-year-old girl residing at the home, identified as Deborah’s daughter, was placed with family. The 10-year-old boy appeared in court Monday in the custody of police, dressed in an orange jumpsuit with a black jacket wrapped over his shoulders. Joseph is represented by Loudonville Attorney Andy Hyde, who entered a plea of denial to the charge on Joseph’s behalf. Hyde agreed with a recommendation by Holmes County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Sean Warner to keep Joseph at Richland juvenile for the time being. “We hope to eventually raise the issue of placing him with family members,” Hyde said. “(However) at this point (detention) is still reasonable.” The .22 used in the alleged shooting was Joseph’s, Zimmerly said, having been previously given to him some time ago by a family member. Investigation into the matter continues, Zimmerly said. Warner said Monday he does not expect additional charges to be filed. Joseph’s father, Michael McVay, 44, last known address 13194 Township Road 511, Big Prairie, has an outstanding warrant for failing to pay child support, according to Wayne County Common Pleas Court records. Efforts to track down Michael have thus far been fruitless, Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said. “They tried to find him but no dice,” Knowling said. “Obviously, we knew we had to find a relative last night (and deputies) time was consumed with other things.” An autopsy will be performed by the Stark County Coroner, Zimmerly said.


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