10 year old kills Neo Nazi Father

[Johick05]

Why Did 10-Year-Old Boy Murder Jeff Hall, His Neo-Nazi Dad?


When neo-Nazi leader Jeff Hall was shot and killed by his 10-year-old son, attention immediately turned to the California father's extremist views.

A "60 Minutes" report now shows the motives of the murder may have been more complicated -- and yet more commonplace.

Early on the morning of May 1, hours after the family hosted a neo-Nazi gathering in their Riverside, Calif., home, Joseph Hall retrieved a handgun from his father's closet and shot his dad in the head, investigators allege.

At the time of his death, Hall, an unemployed plumber, had turned himself into a rising star in the National Socialist Movement, according to the CBS News program.

However, it was his parenting more than his controversial politics that played a role in his death, authorities believe.

Joseph Hall told investigators he pulled the trigger to end the abuse he suffered at the hands of his father.

Megan Hall, the Neo-Nazi leader's sister, said her brother wasn't always violent, but in recent years had beaten both Joseph and his wife "on random occasions."


Joseph Hall told investigators that his father hit him, kicked him and pushed him. He allegedly admitted firing the shot to "end the son vs. father thing," a law enforcement source told the news magazine.

According to the boy's grandmother, Joann Patterson, the child always had behavioral problems.

Joseph Hall had reportedly been kicked out of schools for violent behavior and once tried to strangle a teacher with a phone cord.

The boy's struggles were so apparent that Patterson claims the killing didn't even surprise her.

"I wasn't surprised by it, I just somehow felt it could always happen -- but I thought it would be when he was older," said Patterson.

Joseph Hall's arraignment had been scheduled for Sept. 12, but it was delayed until next month to give more time to specialists studying the child's mental state, according to Southern California Public Radio.

Reports indicate that the public defender representing Joseph Hall, who is now 11, may pursue an insanity defense.

If convicted, Joseph Hall will be released from custody by the time he is 25 years old, at the oldest.

[tom_d]

Sucks. Not only that he was abused to this level, but that he felt the only way to end the abuse was to kill his dad. Unless he gets A LOT of counseling and other intervention, he will wind up being a ticking time bomb when released.

[Johick05]

thats what I was thinking. he gets released and then he acts just like his father. or maybe our correction facilities work and he's a changed man. I guess it depends on how deep it goes

[Groo]

Violent behavior is both influenced by genetics and environment. It is hardly a surprise that a violent father would have a violent kid. Add in an immature mind and abuse, and it comes as no surprise. The thought that someone might commit patricide to end abuse isn't surprising either. I think it happens more than people would admit and often gets passed off as accidental. I know someone who is very nonviolent who once told me she came VERY close to shooting her abusive step-father. The only reason she didn't is by the time it got that bad, she was old enough to consider the ramifications to her future.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if the kid kills again before he turns 30.

[matlt]

Could very well have been self defense. From the sounds of it, his father definitely deserved it.

[CrAz3D]

Originally Posted by tom_d

Sucks. Not only that he was abused to this level, but that he felt the only way to end the abuse was to kill his dad. Unless he gets A LOT of counseling and other intervention, he will wind up being a ticking time bomb when released.

maybe....or now the kid feels safe. threat eliminated

[Xd9ccsd]

Originally Posted by CrAz3D

maybe....or now the kid feels safe. threat eliminated

I think this is the more likely outcome.

[Milhouse86]

Originally Posted by CrAz3D

maybe....or now the kid feels safe. threat eliminated

IDK it sounds like he has violent tendency's. That kid is going to be screwed up for life.

[Clinton1621]

Jail for an abused 10 year old boy.... uh no... how about getting him some help, not putting him into another horrible environment thats sure to make him a psychopath!

[Groo]

Originally Posted by CrAz3D

maybe....or now the kid feels safe. threat eliminated

Did you guys miss the part of the back-story where he previously tried to strangle his teacher?

Dad won't be the last life that kid takes if his doesn't get taken first. It wasn't his fault that he grew up in the conditions he did, but I think he is a bad seed on top of all of that.