Arizona judge dismisses rape charges against 9-year-old Phoenix boy, says he is incompetent

Ariz. judge dismisses rape case against boy, age 9

PHOENIX — A juvenile court judge in Phoenix has dismissed rape charges against a 9-year-old boy charged in the gang-rape of an 8-year-old girl.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Dawn Bergin issued her ruling on Wednesday after weeks of considering if the boy could understand the charges against him. In the seven-page decision, she ruled that the boy could not, and is incompetent to stand trial.

The boy was one of four facing charges in the rape. Police say the boys lured the girl to a storage shed at a west Phoenix apartment complex on July 16 with the promise of gum, and then took turns raping her.

All the children involved are refugees from the West African nation of Liberia.