Boy, 11, found guilty of murdering an eight-year-old girl after shooting her in the chest with a shotgun when she refused to let him play with her puppy
Benjamin Tiller, 11, killed eight-year-old MaKayla Dyer with a shotgun
The boy was found guilty of first-degree murder by a Tennessee court
After MaKayla refused to let the boy play with her puppy, he took a BB gun and a shotgun from a closet, pointed and fired at her
He will remain incarcerated until he turns 19 according to a court document
PUBLISHED: 19:32 EST, 5 February 2016 | UPDATED: 01:14 EST, 6 February 2016
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An 11-year-old boy has been found guilty of first degree murder for shooting an eight-year-old girl in her chest with a shotgun.
Benjamin Nicolas Tiller will spend the next eight years in juvenile prison and will remain incarcerated until his 19th birthday, according to a court document obtained by WATE in Knoxville.
The boy was found guilty of first-degree murder for shooting MaKayla Dyer in the chest with a shotgun after she refused to let him play with her puppy.
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MaKayla Dyer, who was fatally shot in her chest with a shotgun by an 11-year-old boy after she refused to let him play with her puppy
During the October 3 incident, MaKayla and her sister were talking to the boy from outside the mobile home in White Pine, Tennessee, where the boy was staying.
The adults of the home were inside watching TV in another room.
Speaking to the girls through a window of the mobile home, the boy asked MaKayla if he could play with her puppy, but she refused.
Tiller then said he would 'be right back' and took a BB gun and a 12-gauge shotgun from a closet. When he arrived back at the mobile home, he told the girls that he had guns, according to the document.
After MaKayla laughed at him and told him that she didn't believe the guns were real, Tiller pointed the shotgun through the window of the home at MaKayla and fired.
The bullet hit her just above her heart, the document states.
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Benjamin Tiller has been sentenced to spend the rest of his childhood in custody after shooting MaKayla with a 12-gauge shotgun. A small memorial was placed outside her home where she was killed in October
Tiller's great-grandparents, Dianna and Jack Houchins, told WATE that they didn't believe their great-grandson pulled the trigger.
'We believe that when the autopsy is revealed, it will show that the victim was shot from the ground, at close range,' said Dianna Houchins.
She said she believes another child pointed it at Makayla and accidentally shot her.
According to MaKayla's obituary she had turned eight just three weeks before her death.
"Tiller's great-grandparents, Dianna and Jack Houchins, told WATE that they didn't believe their great-grandson pulled the trigger."
Seriously? Denying it is NOT going to help the kid.
Did they not check for fingerprints?
flan
-- Edited by flan327 on Saturday 6th of February 2016 08:52:17 AM
I think that the great grandparents are in denial and can't grasp a child murdering another child. That was something unheard of when they were younger. I do agree that the parents ought to be charged with something.
"Tiller's great-grandparents, Dianna and Jack Houchins, told WATE that they didn't believe their great-grandson pulled the trigger."
Seriously? Denying it is NOT going to help the kid.
Did they not check for fingerprints?
flan
-- Edited by flan327 on Saturday 6th of February 2016 08:52:17 AM
I think that the great grandparents are in denial and can't grasp a child murdering another child. That was something unheard of when they were younger. I do agree that the parents ought to be charged with something.
Unheard of, maybe, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.
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The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
The adult that owned the gun. Grabdma or grandpa or whom ever.
I'm not even sure about that. 11 is getting to the age where even if a gun was locked away, a determined 11 year old probably would not be deterred. They see where you hide the key, they know your anniversary date which is your combination code. My parents had a safe (not a gun safe, just for important papers and stuff). They didn't think I could get into it--but I could. I knew where they kept the key. I'm not positive what age that might have been--but 10 or 11 sounds about right.
At what age do we expect people to take responsibility for themselves? 18? Surely you recognize that many children under 18 cannot be controlled by their parents. He!!, Adam Lanza's mother was KILLED by him.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
I agree. What i am saying is "reasonable" precautions. If the gun was locked and the kid snuck in and stole the code versus a loaded gun laying around. And parents are expected to supervise 11 yr olds. Period.
I agree. What i am saying is "reasonable" precautions. If the gun was locked and the kid snuck in and stole the code versus a loaded gun laying around. And parents are expected to supervise 11 yr olds. Period.
So parents can NEVER leave children in the supervision of someone else??? They are still liable even if someone has is supposed to be supervising them?
What if the kid ditches class? How is the parent to know or control that at the moment? Why shouldn't the school then be liable?
That's a ridiculous position, anyway. At age 11, kids are old enough to baby-sit other kids. They can certainly stay by themselves without supervision for a few hours--or should be able to.
-- Edited by huskerbb on Saturday 6th of February 2016 08:00:04 PM
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Nope. Many states require supervision till age 12. But as i said who ever Owns the gun is the responsible party.
That is a complete myth. We've talked about this before. There are VERY FEW states that have minimum age laws at which children can be alone without direct supervision. Illinois is one, it may be the only one, although I'm not positive, but there are not many.
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I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Nope. Many states require supervision till age 12. But as i said who ever Owns the gun is the responsible party.
That is a complete myth. We've talked about this before. There are VERY FEW states that have minimum age laws at which children can be alone without direct supervision. Illinois is one, it may be the only one, although I'm not positive, but there are not many.
Husker is correct.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
Yes, we have had this discussion. Depending on the circumstances you can be charged with parental neglect and age will be a factor. And, i think that the one gun law i would support is neglectful people who allow kids to get their hands on their firearms if it can be proven that they were negligent in taking reasonable cautions to secure them.
The following table lists legal age restrictions for children left at home alone categorized by state within the U.S. Please note that city and county ordinances within each state may have more definitive and restrictive laws. Call your State DHS or local child welfare agency to learn about age guidelines in your area.
Yes, it's a guideline. And, if you leave a young child at home alone and something bad happens you are very likely going to be charged under child neglect laws LL.
But all the gun law propents, why don't they ever want to enact a law that makes sense? That if you own a gun, YOU are responsible for how it is used? Seems pretty simple to me.
Yes, it's a guideline. And, if you leave a young child at home alone and something bad happens you are very likely going to be charged under child neglect laws LL.
But all the gun law propents, why don't they ever want to enact a law that makes sense? That if you own a gun, YOU are responsible for how it is used? Seems pretty simple to me.
That doesn't make sense. Guns get stolen--even by kids.
If some teenager carjacks your car and runs a stoplight and kills someone--that's your fault as the car owner? Absurd.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Yes, it's a guideline. And, if you leave a young child at home alone and something bad happens you are very likely going to be charged under child neglect laws LL.
But all the gun law propents, why don't they ever want to enact a law that makes sense? That if you own a gun, YOU are responsible for how it is used? Seems pretty simple to me.
That doesn't make sense. Guns get stolen--even by kids.
If some teenager carjacks your car and runs a stoplight and kills someone--that's your fault as the car owner? Absurd.
It is if you leave the motor running with the keys inside while you run into 7-eleven for a few minutes, in a high crime area.
__________________
The Principle of Least Interest: He who cares least about a relationship, controls it.
Yes, it's a guideline. And, if you leave a young child at home alone and something bad happens you are very likely going to be charged under child neglect laws LL.
But all the gun law propents, why don't they ever want to enact a law that makes sense? That if you own a gun, YOU are responsible for how it is used? Seems pretty simple to me.
That doesn't make sense. Guns get stolen--even by kids.
If some teenager carjacks your car and runs a stoplight and kills someone--that's your fault as the car owner? Absurd.
It is if you leave the motor running with the keys inside while you run into 7-eleven for a few minutes, in a high crime area.
No way. That is not the legal standard.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Now, if you left it running with your unrestrained toddler in the car and they drove it into the 7-11, then yeah, you would be responsible.
However, to make a blanket statement and say gun owners are ALWAYS responsible for how their guns are used is silly. There are many situations--stolen guns, for example--where that is not and should not be the case.
In THIS particular case--then POSSIBLY some adults should be charged--although I HIGHLY doubt from the article it should be the parents. We don't actually know who owned the guns, either.
-- Edited by huskerbb on Sunday 7th of February 2016 11:13:17 AM
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
Now, if you left it running with your unrestrained toddler in the car and they drove it into the 7-11, then yeah, you would be responsible.
However, to make a blanket statement and say gun owners are ALWAYS responsible for how their guns are used is silly. There are many situations--stolen guns, for example--where that is not and should not be the case.
In THIS particular case--then POSSIBLY some adults should be charged--although I HIGHLY doubt from the article it should be the parents. We don't actually know who owned the guns, either.
-- Edited by huskerbb on Sunday 7th of February 2016 11:13:17 AM
I didn't make a blanket statement. Try reading what i wrote. I said that if it is shown that there were not REASONABLE precautions to keep the firearms in check. Yes, kids can break in, steal, etc and no the parents shouldn't be liable. But, if that was a loaded firearm laying around, then that should come into play.
Now, if you left it running with your unrestrained toddler in the car and they drove it into the 7-11, then yeah, you would be responsible.
However, to make a blanket statement and say gun owners are ALWAYS responsible for how their guns are used is silly. There are many situations--stolen guns, for example--where that is not and should not be the case.
In THIS particular case--then POSSIBLY some adults should be charged--although I HIGHLY doubt from the article it should be the parents. We don't actually know who owned the guns, either.
-- Edited by huskerbb on Sunday 7th of February 2016 11:13:17 AM
I didn't make a blanket statement. Try reading what i wrote. I said that if it is shown that there were not REASONABLE precautions to keep the firearms in check. Yes, kids can break in, steal, etc and no the parents shouldn't be liable. But, if that was a loaded firearm laying around, then that should come into play.
Try reading the article. We don't know if the parents were even there. We don't know how the firearms were stored, or if they were loaded--an 11 year old would be fully capable of loading one, himself.
__________________
I'm not arguing, I'm just explaining why I'm right.
Well, I could agree with you--but then we'd both be wrong.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
Actually, no one knows that. A loaded gun made it very easy. He didn't even have to go outside.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
I really don't see how that is relevant. He didn't kill her some other way. And, guns are VERY effective at killing. Yeah,you can stab someone, but it takes a lot of effort and time and not always easy to deal that fatal cut. With a gun, it is very efficient to kill. And, I am pro gun. But, i am not going to pretend guns are not in a different category than a steak knife. They absolutely are and we should always have a very healthy respect for the lethal capabilities of guns. This child had access to a loaded gun. How or why, they don't explain. Did he break into the gun cabinet and grab it? Did he steal ammunition from home and bring it over because he knew where the gun was? Or did he simply get angry and then turns and sees a gun and ammo within easy reach?
Guns don't belong in the hands of children. One can be Pro Gun and pro NRA and understand that is just common sense. Yes, if you want your child to hunt with you and they are supervised, fine. But, we try to keep porn, alcohol and other things out of the hands of children for their own safety and protection. This is just common sense.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
I really don't see how that is relevant. He didn't kill her some other way. And, guns are VERY effective at killing. Yeah,you can stab someone, but it takes a lot of effort and time and not always easy to deal that fatal cut. With a gun, it is very efficient to kill. And, I am pro gun. But, i am not going to pretend guns are not in a different category than a steak knife. They absolutely are and we should always have a very healthy respect for the lethal capabilities of guns. This child had access to a loaded gun. How or why, they don't explain. Did he break into the gun cabinet and grab it? Did he steal ammunition from home and bring it over because he knew where the gun was? Or did he simply get angry and then turns and sees a gun and ammo within easy reach?
Guns don't belong in the hands of children. One can be Pro Gun and pro NRA and understand that is just common sense. Yes, if you want your child to hunt with you and they are supervised, fine. But, we try to keep porn, alcohol and other things out of the hands of children for their own safety and protection. This is just common sense.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
I really don't see how that is relevant. He didn't kill her some other way. And, guns are VERY effective at killing. Yeah,you can stab someone, but it takes a lot of effort and time and not always easy to deal that fatal cut. With a gun, it is very efficient to kill. And, I am pro gun. But, i am not going to pretend guns are not in a different category than a steak knife. They absolutely are and we should always have a very healthy respect for the lethal capabilities of guns. This child had access to a loaded gun. How or why, they don't explain. Did he break into the gun cabinet and grab it? Did he steal ammunition from home and bring it over because he knew where the gun was? Or did he simply get angry and then turns and sees a gun and ammo within easy reach?
Guns don't belong in the hands of children. One can be Pro Gun and pro NRA and understand that is just common sense. Yes, if you want your child to hunt with you and they are supervised, fine. But, we try to keep porn, alcohol and other things out of the hands of children for their own safety and protection. This is just common sense.
I don't disagree that 11 year olds don't need handguns. It's the "prosecute the parents" thing I have a problem with. The gun could have been locked up, unloaded and put away. And an 11 year old could still get it if determined enough.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
I really don't see how that is relevant. He didn't kill her some other way. And, guns are VERY effective at killing. Yeah,you can stab someone, but it takes a lot of effort and time and not always easy to deal that fatal cut. With a gun, it is very efficient to kill. And, I am pro gun. But, i am not going to pretend guns are not in a different category than a steak knife. They absolutely are and we should always have a very healthy respect for the lethal capabilities of guns. This child had access to a loaded gun. How or why, they don't explain. Did he break into the gun cabinet and grab it? Did he steal ammunition from home and bring it over because he knew where the gun was? Or did he simply get angry and then turns and sees a gun and ammo within easy reach?
Guns don't belong in the hands of children. One can be Pro Gun and pro NRA and understand that is just common sense. Yes, if you want your child to hunt with you and they are supervised, fine. But, we try to keep porn, alcohol and other things out of the hands of children for their own safety and protection. This is just common sense.
I don't disagree that 11 year olds don't need handguns. It's the "prosecute the parents" thing I have a problem with. The gun could have been locked up, unloaded and put away. And an 11 year old could still get it if determined enough.
I have already addressed this multiple times. There has to be some neglect that needs to be shown on the part of the adults responsible for the guns.
An eleven year old purposely going to get a gun and kill someone is not even remotely the same as a toddler or 6 year old being curious and accidentally dying or killing someone.
He would have just killed her some other way.
I really don't see how that is relevant. He didn't kill her some other way. And, guns are VERY effective at killing. Yeah,you can stab someone, but it takes a lot of effort and time and not always easy to deal that fatal cut. With a gun, it is very efficient to kill. And, I am pro gun. But, i am not going to pretend guns are not in a different category than a steak knife. They absolutely are and we should always have a very healthy respect for the lethal capabilities of guns. This child had access to a loaded gun. How or why, they don't explain. Did he break into the gun cabinet and grab it? Did he steal ammunition from home and bring it over because he knew where the gun was? Or did he simply get angry and then turns and sees a gun and ammo within easy reach?
Guns don't belong in the hands of children. One can be Pro Gun and pro NRA and understand that is just common sense. Yes, if you want your child to hunt with you and they are supervised, fine. But, we try to keep porn, alcohol and other things out of the hands of children for their own safety and protection. This is just common sense.
I don't disagree that 11 year olds don't need handguns. It's the "prosecute the parents" thing I have a problem with. The gun could have been locked up, unloaded and put away. And an 11 year old could still get it if determined enough.
I have already addressed this multiple times. There has to be some neglect that needs to be shown on the part of the adults responsible for the guns.
And you are not the only one posting.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
This is one of my little cousins. The riffle is hers. She got it for Christmas.
The handgun is her brother-in-laws, he is a marine.
She is 10 I think.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
In this case, the gun should have been secured so he couldn't get it.
flan
Ummm, because the parents KNEW he was going to kill someone? ????
Ummmm, because BASIC gun safety anytime there are CHILDREN in the house.
flan
And you are assuming the kid wasn't part of that gun safety. That he hadn't been taught gun safety. And you are assuming the gun wasn't put up and that the kid didn't get to it, anyway. He's ELEVEN, not 2.
__________________
LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
In this case, the gun should have been secured so he couldn't get it.
flan
Ummm, because the parents KNEW he was going to kill someone? ????
Ummmm, because BASIC gun safety anytime there are CHILDREN in the house.
flan
And you are assuming the kid wasn't part of that gun safety. That he hadn't been taught gun safety. And you are assuming the gun wasn't put up and that the kid didn't get to it, anyway. He's ELEVEN, not 2.
Uh huh. Handling guns safely usually means NOT pointing it at an 8 yr old and pulling the trigger.
I don't have a cavalier disregard for the lethality of guns. Seems some of you do. And, that is very unfortunate and actually gives more credibility to the anti gun crowd when you can't have a healthy respect for the power of firearms.
In this case, the gun should have been secured so he couldn't get it.
flan
Ummm, because the parents KNEW he was going to kill someone? ????
Do they have "know" that? Why dont' we let kids drive cars? Or drink alcohol? Oh wait, because something BAD could happen.
I was driving at 9.
So we're all my cousins.
Shoot. Everyone I know was driving by then.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
In this case, the gun should have been secured so he couldn't get it.
flan
Ummm, because the parents KNEW he was going to kill someone? ????
Ummmm, because BASIC gun safety anytime there are CHILDREN in the house.
flan
And you are assuming the kid wasn't part of that gun safety. That he hadn't been taught gun safety. And you are assuming the gun wasn't put up and that the kid didn't get to it, anyway. He's ELEVEN, not 2.
Uh huh. Handling guns safely usually means NOT pointing it at an 8 yr old and pulling the trigger.
Which does not appear to be an accident. so, what does gun safety have to do with it. This is about an evil child that committed murder.
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LawyerLady
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you.
This is one of my little cousins. The riffle is hers. She got it for Christmas.
The handgun is her brother-in-laws, he is a marine.
She is 10 I think.
And, there is an adult supervising so not sure what your point is? I certainly never said kids couldn't handle guns.
My point is, the kids know, the less likely they are to do something like shoot another.
And to say that parents should be responsible is just silly.
__________________
A flock of flirting flamingos is pure, passionate, pink pandemonium-a frenetic flamingle-mangle-a discordant discotheque of delirious dancing, flamboyant feathers, and flamingo lingo.
In this case, the gun should have been secured so he couldn't get it.
flan
Ummm, because the parents KNEW he was going to kill someone? ????
Ummmm, because BASIC gun safety anytime there are CHILDREN in the house.
flan
And you are assuming the kid wasn't part of that gun safety. That he hadn't been taught gun safety. And you are assuming the gun wasn't put up and that the kid didn't get to it, anyway. He's ELEVEN, not 2.
Uh huh. Handling guns safely usually means NOT pointing it at an 8 yr old and pulling the trigger.
Which does not appear to be an accident. so, what does gun safety have to do with it. This is about an evil child that committed murder.
No, he was having a tantrum, which would have passed IF the gun had been secured correctly.