State AG to prosecute boy charged in beating death
HONESDALE – The Pennsylvania attorney general’s office said it will prosecute a 10-year-old boy charged in the beating death of a 90-year-old woman.
The attorney general agreed Thursday to take over the case from Wayne County District Attorney Janine Edwards, who requested the transfer because the boy is related to a staff member in her office.
Executive Deputy Attorney General Lawrence Cherba, who leads the criminal law division, will prosecute the boy.
The boy is charged as an adult with criminal homicide in Saturday’s death of Helen Novak at the home of his grandfather, Novak’s caretaker. Authorities allege he lost his temper when she yelled at him, held her down with a cane and punched her in the throat and stomach. His attorney wants the case transferred to juvenile court.