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Show Al2 TheSalt Lake Tribune NATION Thursday, November11, 1999 Funeral for Boy WhoShotSelf After Mix-Up Prosecutors Press for Murder Conviction in Teen’s Trial THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PONTIAC,Mich. — Regardlessof his youth, 13-year-old Nathaniel Abraham should be convicted of first-degree murder because his actions caused another young man to lose his life, prosecutors said Wednesday a Nathaniel was 11 when he fired a shot from a 30-year-old rifle that struck and killed 18-year-old Ron- nie GreeneJr.of Pontiac in October 1997. He is being tried as an adult, andis oneofthe nation’s youngest murder defendants. “If welook at theactions, if we realize a life was lost andthatit wasintentionally taken from him . do we ignore those facts and the law simply becauseof the age of the person who intentionally took that life?” prosecutor Lisa Halushka said in closing arguments. Defense attorney Geoffrey Fieger, in his closing argument Wednesday, accused the prosecu: tion of twisting the evidence to justify an adult first-degree mur. der caseagainsthisclient . clearit's a terrible accident,” Fiegersaid Theyouth is also charged with assault with intent to commit murder and twofelonyfirearms counts, Ifconvicted, Nathaniel could be sentencedtolife in prison without parole, to juvenile detention until he be s an adult or to a blended sentence in which his record would be re-examined when he turns 2i to see if he shouldbefreed orheld. Prosecutors have argued the boytold a lend he was going to shoot someone, did so and then bragged about it Defense lawyers have argued THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Nathaniel did not know Greene, andhadnointentionor motiveto shoot him. They also produced three psychologists whotestified that Nathaniel hadlimited powers of reasoningandtheability to un d erstand the consequences ofhis actions. Fieger has insisted that be cause of the boy’s age and emo: tional andintellectual problems he should not be held to an adult standard of responsibility. “Wouldyou want a group of 11 year-olds sitting on this jury? De ciding legal issues like intent?” Fieger said. “It would be absurd.” MANKATO, Minn. A funeral will be held this week for a teenager who shot himself in the head after mistakenlythinking he had killed his father in a hunting accident Chris Leif, 16, died Monday night at Lutheran Hospital in La Crosse, Wis. His father, JohnLeif, 50, was released from the samehospital the next day The shooting occurred Oct. 30 as Chris and his father, an invest ment broker, were squirrel hunt ing in a wooded area about 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis. Chris’ .22-caliber rifle appar. ently fired when he stumbled and the bullet hit his father in the head, knocking him unconscious. Thinking his father was dead Chris shot himself in the head with the rifle, Houston County Sheriff Michael Lee said. Leif came to about four hours jater and went for help. Aservice for Chris will be held Friday in Mankato. “It will be a big funeral,” said Dave Knopick, presidentof Secu: rity State Bank, where the elder Leif works. “This has been such a roller-coasterride. Just about ev erybody in town knows John.” Woman poms pally to Helping Start Five Church Fires THE The two weresatanists who believed setting churches on fire would create a “new world order,” prosecute aid in court documents. INDIANAPOLIS A Georgia woman has pl guilty to helping a former boyfriend start five churches. Angela Wood ofAthens, Ga., agreed Tuesd: jay ina plea bargain to testify against Jay Scott Ballinger who is scheduled to stand trial in February on charges that he burned33 churches. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue additional charges against Wood. Ballinger . is accused of burning churches in several states between1994 and thisyear. Wood, 24, pleaded guilty to one federal charge of conspirae: and four counts of church arson. She faces upto 105 Last m complice Donald Puckett was sen tenced to 27 months in prison While Supplies Last! FREE “Nationwide WeekendCalling (500 min per month) 99% °UT, ID, CO, WY ree Caller 1.D. ree Paging Free Voice-Mail *Ist Incoming MinuteFree Call We ae Obeytraffic signals. Watch for trains. Citations bring about unnecessary pain. ing/ Call hold «Trade-In Credit for New Phone Purchases Three Way C $LD Reoe recom. ota es ea Corneta Pee Zits ! ERICSSON 768 RXCoobad 1000 Min. Rei $69.99 Lac i $69.99 SNe $0.00 vourcosn | LEticsson 768, Reg.$69.99. YOUR COST$0.00 rr Wireless Etc. UE a eeA CRE eS ORR eae SO a ee amtd 18/10 Stainless with Aluminum disc 21-Piece Set includes: 14" x 10" Lasagna/Roasting Pan 448 W. 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