SAN ANTONIO — The curly-haired teen shuffled into juvenile court with a chain securing his ankles and handcuffed at the waist.
The 16-year-old has been inside juvenile detention since he was accused of shooting his mother to death with a shotgun June 18 at his home on Delgado Street.
Unlike many who twist and fidget, he sat calmly as he conferred with his attorney and then spoke quietly when he was called to the bench for a detention hearing,
Associate Judge Erik Reynolds listened carefully as first probation and then prosecutors made their case for keeping the teen detained.
A probation representative told the judge this is the first time the teen has appeared in court, and that since being in detention he has not had any incidents and he has continued to talk to the counselors that have been provided to him.
The judge was told, "Due to the serious nature of the offense, probation is recommending continued detention as he may be a danger to himself and others."
The prosecutor agreed, telling the judge, "This case is a very serious one. Someone has lost their life. There was a weapon used in this case. He is a danger to himself and others and therefore detention is warranted."
When the teen made his initial appearance June 20, the teen's attorney promised the judge the family would return with a plan to win the boy's release today.
"The parents are prepared to take him home. They do have a house for him. They do have a room," the attorney said. "They do have a way to get him to and from any doctor appointments he may have and they are in the process of working to get him back into school when the time comes."
Noting the teen's compliant behavior, the attorney added, "This is his first referral. He has done well here in detention. Aside from the crime there seems to be no reason why he should not be released."
Neither the teen nor his father offered any comment to the judge when given a chance to speak, so the judge ruled the teen should remain detained for now, reminding him to behave during the coming days if he expects to be considered for release.
He will be back for another hearing on July 18.