Jack Wall Sent To Children's Home By Judge

Jack Wall Sent To Children’s Home By Judge

Probate Court Orders Examination For Boy Who Shot Playmate

Eleven-year-old Jack Wall, found delinquent in his actions at the time of the accidental shooting,

Nov. 20, of Barry Rothstein, today became a temporary ward of the Michigan Children’s Institute by order of Probate Judge Jay G. Pray.

Judge Pray also ordered that Jack be given a neuro-psychiatric examination within 30 days. He may return his home whenever the institution decides such a move would be best for Jack, for his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert Wall, 952 Greenwood St., and for the community-at-large, the judge said.

Follows Hearing

The order followed a two-hour hearing yesterday afternoon which was an aftermath of the fatal accident on the afternoon of Nov. 19. Jack had admitted earlier that he held the gun which fatally injured his playmate while the two boys were alone in the kitchen of the Wall home. The Wall boy also had admitted dragging the body from his home into the Wall backyard and later into an adjoining yard where it was found the morning of Nov. 20. He kept details of the accident hidden from his parents and from police more than 24 hours after the shooting before admitting knowledge of the accident.

Judge Pray said the decision classing Jack as a delinquent was necessary under Michigan law which provides that intentional pointing of a gun at another person, even without malice, becomes an act of delinquency if the second person should be killed because of the act. An adult would be charged with manslaughter under the same circumstances, the judge held, and further stated that he had no choice but to term the Wall boy a delinquent.

Arch D. Wilson, county welfare agent, in his report to the judge stated that there was no indication of delinquency in Jack’s background prior to the accident.

Explains Decision

Judge Pray said this morning his decision to separate Jack from his home surroundings for a time was made because of the fact that both Jack’s parents were working at the time of the accident. “Had Mrs. Wall been in her home where she belonged on Nov. 19, this would never have happened. The home is the main unit of society, of the nation and it must be maintained at all costs. Today, with millions of mothers working, we have more neglect and more delinquency than ever before. It must be curbed and that must start in the home.”

It was pointed out this morning that the decision to separate Jack from his home surroundings temporarily is analogous to a case of physical illness during which a patient is sent to a hospital.

As a ward of the children’s institute, any mental illness resultant from the strain Jack has been under since the shooting can be explored and treated. Specialists will decide what treatment, if needed, would be best for his case and will see that such treatment is carried out.