A boy who at 8 years old killed his father and his friend as they returned home from work has been approved to move to a foster home and enroll in a public school, the Associated Press reported.
The decision by Arizona judge Monica Stauffer comes seven years after the boy shot his father and his father's friend with a rifle. He pleaded guilty to negligent homicide after prosecutors dropped a premeditated murder charge.
The boy's motive for shooting his father, Tim Romans, and his friend was not revealed, but the boy had mentioned spankings when talking to child welfare investigators.
As part of his sentence, the boy — now 15 — was to undergo treatment, according to the AP. His latest evaluation, however, showed he no longer posed a threat to himself or others.
It was not immediately known where the boy, who has not been identified due to his age, would be attending school.
According to AP, prosecutors tried to revoke the boy's probation in 2012, alleging he issued death threats, damaged property, and assaulted people while in treatment. The boy also admitted to twice leaving the treatment facility.
Apache County Attorney Michael Whiting said he wanted Stauffer to clarify how to proceed and if public safety would be served with the boy's release to a foster home.
"I don't think we can say, 'Yes, he is safe. He'll be fine in public schools,'" Whiting told AP.
Ron Wood, the boy's attorney, said his client has made good progress and is looking forward to a normal life.
"He has been doing remarkably well, and now (is) a young man, not the kid we saw before," Wood said.