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'I killed somebody' | 13-year-old murder suspect will be tried as an adult in Anderson stabbing
A 13-year-old boy accused of fatally stabbing a man in Anderson will be tried as an adult, prosecutors announced.The victim, Miles, was found stabbed to death on October 3, 2024, at his home in the 900 block of West 12th Street, near Madison Avenue.
Police identified Joseph VanNote as the suspect after his mother reported him to authorities.
“Her juvenile 13-year-old son had $500 and had reported to her that he had stabbed someone in the course of attempting to ask someone for some money,”
Investigation & Arrest
Police responded to the scene after a friend went to check on Miles and found him lying on his back in a pool of blood. A bloody kitchen knife was discovered nearby.
At the same time, a passerby flagged down an officer, saying a group of people had handed him a wallet. When opened, it was identified as belonging to the victim.
The coroner determined Miles had been stabbed multiple times, including at least once in the chest.
The following day, police received a call from a woman reporting her 13-year-old son. She told officers he had come home with $500 in cash.
Suspect’s Statements & Motive
According to court documents, VanNote initially gave conflicting statements about what happened. He ultimately admitted that he saw Miles with a large amount of cash at a gas station and decided to follow him home to rob him.
Surveillance footage from a neighbor allegedly shows VanNote running from the victim’s house after the attack.
Court records state that inside the home, Miles offered the teen a chance to work for some money, but instead, the confrontation escalated. VanNote told police he shut the door, grabbed a knife from the kitchen, and stabbed Miles.
During the attack, Miles reportedly said, “You’re killing me.” VanNote admitted to stabbing him “a couple more times” before taking his wallet and cash.
Prior Criminal History
At the time of the murder, VanNote was on probation for a previous robbery and stabbing in Illinois, according to court records.
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