Two teenagers were taken into custody following what might have been a false police report. The teens now face multiple charges, including allegations of theft, reckless conduct and involuntary manslaughter. Because of the younger teen’s age, it is possible that he might ultimately be tried as a juvenile, although facing charges as an adult is still possible.
When the call first came in to a Georgia police station early one Saturday morning, the teens reported that there had been a break-in at the residence where they were located. Police were told that one person had been shot in the process of the home invasion. The gunshot victim was taken to the hospital, where he died later that same day.
After investigating the home, authorities claim that there was no indication of a break-in and that the man’s shooting death did not appear to have occurred in the manner described by the teens. One of the teenagers — a 16-year-old boy — was subsequently charged with tampering with related evidence, involuntary manslaughter and reckless behavior. His 18-year-old counterpart does not currently face any manslaughter charges, but is accused of transporting stolen goods across state lines and tampering with the evidence.
Starting out adulthood with the weight of a criminal record can have a lifelong impact that is difficult to escape. Facing criminal allegations as a juvenile can make moving forward with life somewhat easier, although preparing a strong defense is still necessary in either case. The vast majority of individuals in Georgia facing similar charges for theft or manslaughter often find that beginning this process in as timely a manner as possible is especially helpful for achieving the best outcome possible for their situation.
Source: northwestgeorgianews.com, “Columbus teens accused of falsely reporting crime in fatal shooting“, Oct. 26, 2015