Originally published October 14, 2008 at 1:25 PM | Page modified October 14, 2008 at 1:25 PM
E-mail article
Print view Share:
Digg
Newsvine
Parents of boy who shot himself plead not guilty
The parents of a 2-year-old boy who died after accidentally shooting himself with a gun he found at home pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death.
The parents of a 2-year-old boy who died after accidentally shooting himself with a gun he found at home pleaded not guilty to charges related to the death.
Jason Matteau, 27, and Rebecca Matteau, 24, of Jewett City, were arraigned Tuesday in Norwich Superior Court on charges of negligent storage of a firearm and risk of injury to a minor. If convicted of both felonies, they face up to 15 years in prison.
Their son, Wyatt, died Aug. 28, about two hours after he shot himself in the head with his father's .40-caliber handgun, state police said. The Matteaus were at their apartment with their son and infant daughter at the time, but Wyatt was alone in a room when the gun fired, troopers said.
His mother had told him to stay away from the gun moments before the accident, warning him that it was "Bad boo boo's," according to a police report.
Connecticut law makes it a crime to store loaded firearms in an area where the owner reasonably should know that someone under 16 could find them.
After the accident, officials removed the couple's daughter from their custody and placed her with a relative.
The parents declined comment as they left the courthouse. Their lawyers, William H. Paetzold and Christopher McCarthy, said they were preparing for the case and declined further comment.
The couple posted bail and were scheduled to return to court Nov. 19.
---
Information from: Norwich Bulletin, http://www.norwichbulletin.com, and The Day, http://www.theday.com.
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
UPDATE - 01:19 AM
AP sources: US troops likely for Afghan in January
UPDATE - 12:34 AM
Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
UPDATE - 12:16 AM
FBI reassessing past look at Fort Hood suspect
UPDATE - 12:37 AM
D.C. sniper mastermind set to be executed Tuesday
UPDATE - 12:04 AM
Case against Ohio bodies suspect expands overseas

Ken Auletta talks about "Googled"
Ken Auletta talks about Google with Brier Dudley at the Seattle Central Library.
nwjobs

Post a comment

Michelle Goodman blogs about work/life balance.
How to tell your office you're gravely ill
Post a comment
nwautos

Choosing a new sedan? Weigh the impact of your choice on your wallet and on the planet.
Post a comment
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Prosecutors consider charges against suspect in police shooting
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- Steve Kelley | Hasselbeck gives Seahawks' sagging season a stay of execution
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Bill Clinton meets with Senate Dems on health care
- Trucker dies as big-rig plummets off SF bridge
- Washington coordinator Nick Holt says his Huskies defense is improving
- McGinn next Seattle mayor; Mallahan concedes as vote gap widens
- For 80-year-old Maple Valley man, hoops aren't just a dream
- Plans call for Triangle to become West Seattle gateway
- Three more fires ignite in Greenwood
- 'Missing' SeaTac man found with new name, in new state
- Pakistani-American cafe, bar owner on verge of being Granite Falls mayor
- Silver Lake restaurant destroyed by fire
- All You Can Eat | Fruit flies: thrill to the kill
- Police: DNA from officer's slaying matches suspect
- Taste | Ruth Reichl still reigns as queen of America's culinary scene
- Book review | Ayn Rand: goddess of the market, gateway to the American right





