PHOENIX, Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A Phoenix judge has thrown out rape charges against a 9-year-old boy in an assault on a young African refugee.
Maricopa County Juvenile Court Judge Dawn Bergin ruled Wednesday the youth was not competent to stand trial due to his age.
Bergin also said it was unlikely the boy, whose name was withheld because of his status as a juvenile, could be brought up to speed on the proceedings against him within the time limit specified by Arizona state law, The Arizona Republic reported.
The boy, along with three other youths ages 10, 13 and 15, were charged with attacking an 8-year-old girl at a Phoenix apartment complex.
The Republic said the defendants and their alleged victim were all refugees from Liberia.
The oldest defendant, Stephen Tuopeh, has been charged as an adult in the case and has a hearing scheduled for Friday on whether he is mentally competent to stand trial in adult court.
