Quiana Mann: Boy, 12, being tried as adult for killing mom over VR headset seeks juvenile court transfer

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: A 12-year-old boy accused of fatally shooting his mother after she refused to buy him a virtual headset and insisted on waking up early appeared again in court on Monday, April 29. 

According to CrimeOnline,  the boy is now attempting to transfer his case to juvenile court, with the support of his father.

The boy was 10 at the time of the shooting, which resulted in the death of Quiana Mann at the family home at 87th and Magnolia streets, on Streetsr 21, 2022. 

Following the incident, the boy was charged with first-degree reckless homicide and first-degree intentional homicide.

What happened during the hearing?

According to Fox6 News, the attorneys representing the 12-year-old boy advocated for his transfer from adult court to juvenile court. 

During testimony on March 12, the boy's father expressed his belief, stating, "I think he should be prosecuted in children’s court." He further remarked, "Even with us talking, he has yet to say anything in regards to his mother." 

Due to the severity of the crime, the boy was automatically charged as an adult. 

Providing context, the reverse waiver hearing enables the boy’s defense team to argue for his relocation to the juvenile court system. 

Conversely, the boy's defense attorney Tanner Kilander asserted, "To transfer him to children’s court is to acknowledge that he deserves to continue down the path to the intensive treatment and care that Quiana used to get for her son."

Kilander added, "He took the gun, he went downstairs. At a distance of three feet or less, he pointed the gun with both hands, adopted a shooting stance, and fired that gun."

Boy's lawyer emphasizes the mental health of the suspect while killing Quiana Mann

The boy's defense team also emphasized that at the time of the shooting, he grappled with mental health challenges exacerbated by a head injury sustained on the playground.

They highlighted the benefits of placing the 12-year-old in the juvenile system, which offers greater resources to facilitate his treatment.

Jonathon Lavoy, an attorney from the area who had no involvement in the case, echoed the sentiments of the defense attorneys, stating, "The reality is our adult court system does not have near enough treatment for anyone. The juvenile court system has a lot more treatment options and that’s what the attorneys are trying to argue." 

He further commented, "I think it’s an interesting case where we can see the needs of this child compared with the need to protect the community."

However, prosecutors expressed concern that if the boy were placed in the juvenile system, he might be released soon.

Psychologist evaluated 12-year-old suspect

However, prosecutors expressed concern that if the boy were placed in the juvenile system, he might be released soon.

Additionally, the court proceedings featured testimony from the psychologist who evaluated the suspect, as per WISN.

According to the psychologist Karyn Gust-Brey, the evaluation revealed mild anxiety, mild psychotic symptoms, and mild disruptive behaviors in the suspect. 

However, overall, the suspect was deemed psychologically sound. As the hearing concluded, the defense requested additional time to present its case. The hearing is scheduled to resume in June.

What did the 12-year-old suspect say about killing his mother?

Initially, the 12-year-old boy claimed that he accidentally shot his mother while twirling the gun. He added that he intended to shoot the wall to frighten her.

According to the police, the boy acknowledged his awareness that guns have the potential to cause harm. 

Despite Mann's installation of cameras throughout the home, they were not operational at the time of her shooting.

Then, the boy went online to purchase an Oculus Virtual Reality Headset from Amazon the morning after fatally shooting his mother.

On that same morning, he purportedly assaulted his 7-year-old cousin, prompting his aunt to take him to his grandmother’s residence, where child welfare workers were present.

Also, the boy confessed to his grandmother saying, “I’m really sorry for what happened. I’m sorry for killing my mom."