Chapter 6 - Ryan’s interview
Ryan received his own lawyer and child advocate for the juvenile process.
He was ten.
The jurisdiction allowed juvenile delinquency proceedings beginning at ten for serious assaultive conduct, but the system emphasized rehabilitation, capacity, and safety.
He was interviewed with proper protections.
He admitted picking up the brick.
Why?
“I was mad.”
At Lily?
“Yes.”
Why?
“She said it was her house.”
Had Lily actually said that?
Later Lily remembered a conversation.
Ryan told her:
“My room is going to be upstairs.”
Lily said:
“No, that’s my playroom.”
Then:
“This is my house.”
Five-year-old territoriality.
Normal.
Ryan heard something else.
He believed Lily was announcing the verdict Daniel had been delaying.
The interviewer asked:
“Did you want to kill Lily?”
Ryan started crying.
“No.”
“Did you want to hurt her?”
Long silence.
“Yes.”
“What did you think would happen when you swung the brick?”
“I thought she’d stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Saying I didn’t live there.”
He knew the brick could hurt.
He did not think through skull injuries.
Ten-year-old anger.
Not innocence.
Not adult intent.
Then my slap.
Ryan said:
“My dad hit me because he loves her more.”
May you like
That sentence entered the record.
I deserved to hear it.
