11-year-old under house arrest

TACOMA — A Pierce County Superior Court judge ordered the release of an 11-year-old boy who made headlines for twice foiling airport security, once sneaking onto a plane and making it to Texas, and most recently, for breaking into a neighbor's house at night.

Semaj Booker will be under 24-hour house arrest, according to Pierce County Juvenile Prosecutor Fred Wist, until his next court appearance Thursday.

At issue at that hearing will be the boy's capacity to understand the difference between right and wrong. Also before the judge on Thursday will be a motion by the boy's attorneys to ban the public and the press from the courtroom.

Semaj has been held in Remann Hall Juvenile Detention Center since July 5 when he was arrested on investigation of residential burglary, malicious mischief and making false statements to police after allegedly breaking into a neighbor's house.

Semaj had twice before avoided time behind bars, once when he was put on probation in 2007 for stealing a neighbor's car and leading police on a high-speed chase the day before he conned his way onto a plane to Texas.

He avoided detention again earlier this year when he broke his probation by trying, unsuccessfully, to hitch another plane ride.

Three weeks after the judge gave him another chance, Semaj was allegedly caught in a neighbor's house and was ordered held in detention.

Semaj could face up to 36 weeks in detention if convicted of residential burglary, malicious mischief and making false statements to police.

Christine Clarridge: 206-464-8983 or cclarridge@seattletimes.com