MESA, Ariz., Oct. 28 (UPI) -- A 16-year-old Arizona teen and his friend have been charged with murder after allegedly killing the teen's mother, police said.
The son and his alleged accomplice, a 17-year-old neighbor, were taken into custody early Saturday after police were called to the 16-year-old's Mesa home. The boy's stepfather called police after he came home about 4 a.m. and the suspect, whose name police had not released, allegedly attacked him with a kitchen pan. The stepfather fled the residence and called 911.
When police arrived they found obvious signs of a struggle and their investigation led them to a shed behind the home where they found the body of the boy's mother, Tina Helms Spencer, 36.
Police said their investigation led them to the 17-year-old's house nearby. When the 16-year-old arrived, both teens were taken into custody, KNXV-TV, Phoenix, reported Sunday.
The stepfather told detectives he hadn't been concerned his wife was injured during the attack and assumed she was in their bedroom sleeping. Officers said the teen had told his friend his was angry with his mother after being punished and wanted to harm her.
The son was booked into juvenile detention and charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, concealment of a dead body and tampering with evidence. His friend was charged with first-degree murder as an accomplice, concealment of a body and tampering with evidence.
Mesa police said they expected a court hearing would be held soon to determine whether the youths would be charged as adults.
