'Unanswered questions' in Newburgh teen shooting deserve deeper investigation, attorney says
Attorney Laisa Pertet, of Asilia Law, told News 12 that the 13-year-old suspect was a friend of 11-year-old Matthew DeGroat and had been invited into his home on North Miller Street the morning of Oct. 9, when the shooting happened.
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The attorney representing a 13-year-old boy charged with murder in this month’s deadly shooting in Newburgh is releasing new information about the case and calling for a deeper investigation.
Attorney Laisa Pertet, of Asilia Law, told News 12 that the 13-year-old suspect was a friend of 11-year-old Matthew DeGroat and had been invited into his home on North Miller Street the morning of Oct. 9, when the shooting happened.
Pertet called the incident a “disturbing tragedy” and said there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the circumstances of the shooting. She’s calling for a more thorough review by Child Protective Services and local investigators.
Police say the shooting occurred inside the DeGroat family’s home during an incident involving several children and a firearm. Authorities have not said how the gun was obtained or who it belonged to.
Last week, the DeGroat family released an exclusive statement to News 12, followed by a video message from Matthew’s uncle, Stewart DeGroat Jr., who spoke about the family’s heartbreak and urged the community to take action against violence and bullying.
In that video, he shared his hopes for a safer future and greater accountability among adults to protect children.
The suspect has not been publicly identified because of his age.
Pertet says her client maintains his innocence and that she plans to fight the charge in court.
