Teen Accused of Killing Dad Over Grades

AP ^ | December 17, 2005

[jdm]

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - A 15-year-old boy allegedly killed his father, then set their home on fire because he was afraid his father would find out he was failing some classes, prosecutors said.

Ryan Watts was charged Friday with murdering his father, 50-year-old John E. Bruner, who was initially believed to have died in the fire earlier this week. He was charged as an adult.

Watts was arrested Wednesday after an autopsy determined that Bruner died from multiple gunshot wounds and not from the fire, Santa Clara police said.

According to court documents, Watts told police he took a .45-caliber handgun from a safe in his father's bedroom and stashed it in his room shortly before the killing.

Court documents allege he shot his father in the head at close range Monday, then set the body on fire because it was too heavy to carry to the backyard, where he had planned to bury it. Watts hid the gun and went to Taco Bell before calling 911 to report the fire, the documents said.

Watts' parents apparently were separated, and he had been staying at his mother's home since the fire, police said.

If convicted, Watts faces life in prison. He is not eligible for the death penalty because he's a juvenile.

Watts is expected to enter a plea during a Dec. 22 court appearance.

[lesser_satan]

I'd say he overreacted slightly.

[randog]

Any bets that mom describes him as a "good boy" that "wouldn't hurt anyone"? Anyone? Bueller?

[scott7278]

Whatever happened to running away? Why do this?

My Grandpa wrecked his Dad's brand-new automobile before he even could take the insurance out on it. He joined the Navy the next day.

[jdm]

"Any bets that mom describes him as a "good boy" that "wouldn't hurt anyone"? Anyone? Bueller?"

Exactly. He's just "misunderstood."

[WasDougsLamb]

I'd say he overreacted slightly


----Just a bit, don't ya think? Kids these days. I swear.

[LibWhacker]

Caller: Hello, my house is on fire.

911 Dispatcher: Where are you?

Caller: I'm at Taco Bell.

[martin_fierro]

Send FReepmail if you want on/off SVP list
Silicon Valley Slang
The List of Ping Lists

[somedaysoon]

Wonder why the different surnames.

[ladiesview61]

This reminds me so much of when I was a kid, this girl in my class would be deathly afraid to go home and show her dad her report card. She'd literally be crying and shaking at the thought of his reaction to her poor grades. I remember her saying her dad was going to "beat the crap" out of her when she got home. Her sister was an A student who got doted upon, but this girl struggled with school. I don't think she slacked off or didn't try..she just didn't get good grades. I remember hating her dad and thinking he was such a cruel bully. But still, it's no excuse for offing him.

[scott7278]

I misread this at first -- I thought you were the one who said her Dad was going to beat her up. I thought, "Some compassionate friend you are!"

LOL.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

So...this kid felt that the penalty for murder and arson would be less severe than the punishment for failing a couple of classes?
Right. Got it.

[jdm]

"So...this kid felt that the penalty for murder and arson would be less severe than the punishment for failing a couple of classes?"

Yeah, but, at least he doesn't have to face dad now. [ \s ]

[AntiGuv]

Well, it's times like this when one realizes that kids aren't just midget adults..

[jdm]

"Wonder why the different surnames."

Think it's his step-dad he allegedly murdered.

[johnny7]

That nasty red ink... no good ever comes from it!

[HungarianGypsy]

In high school my psychology teacher told me she had to call my dad about my grade. I went into a big thing about how she couldn't do that. She tried to drag out why. It was just that I was so afraid of the disappointment my dad would have in me. She ended up not calling. But, I felt guilty enough that I told him anyhow.

[GOPJ]

This reminds me so much of when I was a kid, this girl in my class would be deathly afraid to go home and show her dad her report card. She'd literally be crying and shaking at the thought of his reaction to her poor grades. I remember her saying her dad was going to "beat the crap" out of her when she got home. Her sister was an A student who got doted upon, but this girl struggled with school.

Your friend's father sounds like a bully - or a sadist. Beyond cruel...

[IranIsNext]

"A 15-year-old boy allegedly killed his father, then set their home on fire because he was afraid his father would find out he was failing some classes, prosecutors said."

LoL when I first read this it sounded like.. Boy kills his dad.. Then gets afraid that his now dead dad will find out about him failing classes.. So he sets the house on fire... But that wouldn't make any sense...

[IranIsNext]

Hah hah, "See me after class" doesn't seem to be such a bad thing for 14 year old boys to see written on their paper nowadays. ;-) That is, unless it is their Gym Teacher who wrote it.. ::shivers::