March 24, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga.---A News 12 camera was in juvenile court Monday morning for the hearing involving a 12-year old Augusta boy accused of shooting and killing a 65-year old man during a Harrisburg home invasion last week.

Juvenile Judge William Sams allowed News 12 to see the detention hearing for the boy. He's one of two people accused in the crime.

Judge Sams ordered the boy kept at the Regional Youth Detention Center and ordered him to undergo a mental evaluation and a competency hearing.

The Judge also told the boy's grandmother-with whom he made his home--that he could have ordered her arrested, but chose not to because he felt she did try to get him to go to school.

The boy faces juvenile murder and gun charges. Under Georgia law, the greatest punishment he could receive would be confinement until he's 21 years old.

The other person arrested, 21-year old Willie Casey, is being held at the Richmond Couonty jail on murder and gun charges.

Deputies say they went into a home on Fenwick Street last month and demanded money from Roosevelt Cowins in his home, then shot and killed him.

News 12's Lynnsey Gardner was in the courtroom for the detention hearing. She will have new details and reaction later Monday on News 12.