United States v. Eric B.

Eric B. (defendant), a twelve-year-old boy, was given a loaded gun by a friend at school. Over the course of an afternoon he repeatedly pointed the weapon at multiple schoolmates and pulled the trigger, at times with the gun unloaded and at least once with it loaded (though it failed to fire). He also removed and reloaded bullets, showing he understood how the gun worked. He eventually pointed the loaded gun at seven-year-old Nathan Crank and pulled the trigger; this time it fired, killing Nathan. The trial judge acquitted Eric of murder but convicted him of involuntary manslaughter. Eric appealed, arguing he did not know the gun was loaded and, due to his age, did not appreciate the danger his conduct posed.