Judge rules teen who killed his entire family at age 15 could be released at age 21

Daily Mail ^ | 12 February 2016

[MarvinStinson]

Nehemiah Griego was 15 when he killed five family members at their home

A judge cleared the way Thursday for a New Mexico teenager who shot and killed his parents and three younger siblings to be sentenced as a juvenile and released from state custody by the time he turns 21.

Nehemiah Griego was 15 when he opened fire in his family's home south of Albuquerque, killing his mother as she slept and then his nine-year-old brother and two sisters, ages five and twod.

Griego's father was the last to die. The teen waited in a bathroom and ambushed the gang member turned pastor after he returned home.

Griego pleaded guilty to two counts of second degree murder for killing his parents and three counts of child abuse resulting in death for killing his siblings, ages 9, 5 and 2

'It all points in the same direction,' said Jeffrey Buckels, Griego's public defender. 'He's getting better and deserves a chance.'

Judge John Romero ruled on Griego's treatment after a hearing to determine whether he could be sentenced as a juvenile, which allows his release from state custody in just more than two years. Griego turns 21 in March 2018.

Prosecutor Michelle Pato described the killings as predatory and cold-blooded, with Griego waking his younger brother to show him his mother's body before shooting the 9-year-old too. Griego took a photo of the two victims before shooting his younger sisters in their beds. 'He played with his brother that day knowing he was going to kill him,' Pato said.

Judge Romero said state law called for the hearing and his findings to focus on Griego and his prospects for rehabilitation, not the offense.

A hearing will be held to sentence Griego as a juvenile in three to six weeks.

[DuncanWaring]

Yeah, he’ll behave himself when he’s out.

Or, maybe not.

[Mr Apple]

Kid must have been brought up and drinking a lot of water with lead, or he had eaten some mushrooms, or perhaps the kid is just flat out bonkers. Should not be let out of juvenile psycho ward.

[Mr Apple]

sorry to just now seeing this /was gone all afternoon

[ViLaLuz]

I’d bet the child, through no fault of his own, became a sociopath. Must likely he will never recover and should be institutionalized for the rest of his life. Tragic all around.