The Case of David Champ

On August 2, 2010, David Paul Champ, 51, was shot dead in his home in Independence, Missouri. The shooter was his 11 year old son, David, Jr. From the beginning this became a case of why. Neighbors spoke out about the neglect, abuse and horrid living conditions the young boy was forced to live in for so long. And then there was the claim by the boy himself that his father ordered him to pull the trigger or he would chop off his fingers. Champ’s former wife said that her ex was unstable and had mental issues. Neighbors said the man loved his son but the boy didn't get to socialize and do things like most young boys do. In most cases, law enforcement and the judicial system would never even come close to believing a story like that. But this time, compassion got the better of the prosecutors and they decided after all was said and done that young David had suffered enough and was truly telling the truth. On September 27, 2010 those same prosecutors filed a motion to have all murder charges against the boy dismissed. A week later the judge agreed and the prospect of a murder trial ended. Little David’s family, neighbors and friends all agreed it was the right thing to do. The judge felt 'Intense Intervention' would be a better outcome for what this boy was dealing with and had dealt with. This case is hard to place in the traditional area of a real parricide case. Yes, the boy shot and killed his father. But he was only doing as his father had commanded him to do under threat of serious bodily injury. But it is still parricide and is a good example of what many children who kill their parent or parents have actually experienced. (more about this case to come) August 2010 articles from kmbc.com about this case: Neighbors Say Child Shot Father Monday Boy, 11, Faces Murder Charge In Father's Death State Wants Murder Charge Against Boy Dismissed Murder Charge Dismissed Against Boy, 11 Judge Dismisses Murder Charge Against Boy, 11 Juvenile Justice Takes New Approach With Offenders

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