Boy May Be Tried in Killing of Girl

At least one conscientious parent has followed the advice of the National Rifle Assn.--teach young children how to handle and fire guns properly (“Boy Who Killed at Age 9 May Be Tried as an Adult,” Part I, July 28). This 9-year-old boy’s father took him to a gun club where the child was taught to load and fire a .22-caliber rifle with a scope. He learned well, too. He hunted rabbits and squirrels and could hit six out of six pop cans with a BB gun.

But one afternoon he interrupted his Nintendo “Spy Hunter” game to play another “hunting game.” He had lots of toys from which to choose: a locked glass-front gun cabinet containing 10 rifles. He unlocked the cabinet and chose well, a lever-action Marlin with a power scope. He then unlocked the drawer containing ammunition, loaded the gun, and from his bedroom window, using the power scope, he found his prey--a 7-year-old girl. He killed her with one shot.

His mother said he was a good kid. He was not violent. This may have been true once, but it isn’t now. He was taught too well. At 10, he may be the youngest child in this country to stand trial for murder as an adult.

C. JEAN COHEN

Westminster