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11-Year-Old Charged in Father’s Killing Waives Hearing, Case Moves to Adult Court in Pennsylvania

State law sends juvenile homicide cases to adult court first, with potential transfer to juvenile jurisdiction.

Overview

  • At a Feb. 19 appearance, Clayton Dietz waived his preliminary hearing, advancing the case to the Perry County Court of Common Pleas.
  • Dietz is charged as an adult with criminal homicide in the January shooting of his adoptive father, Douglas Dietz, and bail was denied.
  • According to the affidavit, investigators say the boy found keys while searching for a confiscated Nintendo Switch, retrieved a revolver from a safe, loaded it, and shot his sleeping father.
  • Court records cited in local reports note the child told his mother and troopers "I killed Daddy" and said he was angry and did not think about the consequences.
  • Defense attorney Dave Wilson says he will seek to transfer the case to juvenile court, and no trial date has been set.