Jeffrey Hall was a neo-Nazi from Riverside, California, a prominent leader of the National Socialist Movement in the area, who thought he would die for the racist and fascist cause he supported.
An unemployed plumber for years, he blamed the economic recession and his own plight on Jews and non-whites. Apart from being a Nazi scumbag, this guy would also get drunk on a regular basis and beat his family, mostly his wife and oldest son.
Joseph, the oldest of five, is being accused of murdering his father in cold blood. Now 12 years old, if convicted, he could be imprisoned until about the age of 25. While still alive, his father would hold neo-Nazi gatherings at his house, take his son to rallies, and even once took him to the Mexican border - hoping to kill incoming immigrants. His father bragged of teaching his son how to shoot guns and use night-vision goggles.
One night, Jeff Hall came home after another day of drinking. Luckily, instead of physically abusing members of his family, he passed out on the couch. 10-year old Joseph took this opportunity to sneak into his parent's room, grab a .357 revolver, and then shot his abusive Nazi father behind his left year as he slept.
Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Soccio has made the claim to a Riverside County judge that Joseph knew killing his father was "wrong." In his opening statement, Soccio stated that 12-year old Joseph is "no different than any other murderer."
On the other side, public defender Matthew Hardy is blaming the kid's step-mother, saying she manipulated Joseph because she was angry Jeff might leave her for another woman. However, the step-mother, Krista, says she and her husband had an open relationship.
On the other hand, Chief Deputy District Attorney Soccio is saying the kid shot his dad because he felt a divorce was coming and didn't want his douchebag father taking custody of him.
Apparently, the only way this anti-fascist kid can be convicted, is if the juvenile judge rules that the child knew his actions to be wrong at the time of shooting.
Hardy says, "He would not have pulled the trigger if he knew it was wrong."
Joseph is pleading innocent by reason of insanity. Prosecutors are intent on making it seem as if the child is mentally deranged, citing past school expulsions, and attacks on teachers or students. Little attention is brought to the fact that he was raised in an abusive environment.
If anyone should be deemed insane, it's the individuals who believe that justice was not served. Here is some coverage by 60 minutes.
