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.

[Bear_Slayer]

What are you Ryan Watts. You're not hiding any guns or gas cans are you?

[manwiththehands]

That's a great story. A masters degree! Woo Hoo! Super, dude! I like teachers because my dad is still teaching as a substitute even in his retirement years. He loves it and won't quit until he's dead!

I'll bet you're parents were as proud of you as much as I am proud of my kid, too.

And I got nothing but C's and D's in algebra in high school ... but in my Air Force electronics tech classes I made "honor grad" (better than 90% average) and in college I aced math review and made B's in all my calculus.

It just took me a while to figure out what I wanted to learn in my life. :-)

[goldstategop]

Denny Crane only looks dumb. But as he wagered in trying a fellow lawyer's case, if its a necessity defense, that's simple. Let the other side muddy the waters. The law isn't everything; its a means to an end. Heck, I'd like to see attorneys being allowed to shoot loathsome clients. That would make justice happen a lot faster. ;-)
p> (Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie.Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")

[thathamiltonwoman]

This brings back memories. I remember that long walk back home with a bad report card knowing full well that I was going to get a whipping. The dread was the worse thing. Still, it never occured to me to kill and burn down the house. I suspect there was more going on in this kid's house than what the report says.