By C1 Staff
WAYNE COUNTY, Pa. — The 10-year-old Pennsylvania boy charged as an adult in the killing of a 90-year-old woman is expected to be in court next month.
Press Connects reports that Tristen Kurilla is accused of killing Helen Novak by beating her to death.
A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Nov. 19. The boy is being held in jail without bail.
Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards requested that the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office take over prosecution of the case, citing a conflict of interest as a member of her staff is a family member of Kurilla’s.
The defense is hoping to petition to send the case to juvenile court.
A criminal homicide charge was filed because police believe Novak’s death was an unprovoked, intentional act by the defendant; Pennsylvania criminal law states a delinquent act cannot include the crime of murder and a “delinquent “ child is 10 years of age or older.