3/7/13 Juvenile matricide case to go to trial

  • By Nick Sabo
  • March 7, 2013
  • 331
                        
SUMMARY: Trial date set for Aug. 12 A trial date has been set for a Big Prairie juvenile charged with shooting and killing his mother. Joseph McVay, 12, will face a murder charge in a one-week trial beginning Aug. 12 in Holmes County Juvenile Court. The trial date was set after discussions Thursday March 7 between the Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and Joseph’s defense team. Joseph is charged in the Jan. 2, 2011 shooting death of his mother, Deborah McVay, 46. Prosecuting Attorney Steve Knowling said discussions revolved around scheduling issues. There was no discussion as to whether Joseph should be released from an undisclosed treatment facility, where he has been since at least October 2011, Knowling said. “Right now, we’re locked into a trial date,” Knowling said. No plea offer was discussed Thursday, Knowling said. Knowling said there was some discussion as to whether the case should be heard in the juvenile courtroom, or moved to the Holmes County common pleas courtroom. Knowling declined on specifics as to why the common pleas courtroom might be used, but noted it would be for procedural, and not necessarily legal, reasons. Joseph was present at the courthouse Thursday, accompanied by a case worker and family. He did not appear before Judge Thomas Lee as no hearing was held. Guardian ad litem Doug Milhoan and attorneys Andy Hyde and Thomas White met with Joseph at different times throughout the afternoon. Joseph was dressed in regular civilian clothes, wearing slacks and a dress shirt. No plea offer has been made in the case, Knowling said. If convicted of murder, Joseph may be incarcerated until he is 21. Joseph allegedly shot his mother with a .22 caliber rifle after they had an argument over chores. The bullet struck Deborah McVay in the head, killing her. Joseph’s 15-year-old sister was home at the time of the shooting, and they went to a neighbor’s house to call police and report the shooting.


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