A Richmond family says the death of an 8-year-old, killed trying to defend his sister from a rapist, could have been prevented.
The family says the suspect in the attack on Marty Cobb also attacked their child four years ago and was supposed to have mental health treatment.
Mairese Washington, then 12-years-old, was charged with malicious wounding after bludgeoning a 3-year-old boy with a hammer in 2010, according to court records.
The child survived and his family says they're stunned the suspect was able to hurt another little boy.
Upon hearing what happened to Marty on Thursday night, Arrington was brought immediately back in time. Her family will never forget that night in September 2010 when Malchi was found bloodied on Accommodation Street in Richmond.
After almost 100 staples, a metal plate in his head and four years or recovery, Malchi's pain is still real.
"I felt like the public needed to know that this young man was a danger," Malchi's aunt, Santa Quivers. "I definitely feel like this is where the system has failed us again."
A letter from the prosecutor explains Mairese Washington was supposed to receive mental health treatment, including medications and counseling, and after it was complete be placed on probation.
Sources confirm Washington, the same person in Malchi's case, is the suspect in Marty's murder. Malchi's family says detectives have talked to them and apologized, because they were supposed to be notified when he was released, but that never happened.
"I definitely feel like this is where the system has failed us again," said Quivers.
Ok.. So this happens to be a local one for me too, & it is downright crazy to me that every single day it somehow manages to get worse.
They released the suspect's name today: Mairese Washington
http://www.nbc12.com/story/25445150/suspect-in-martys-murder-had-history-of-violence
Absolutely unbelievable!!! Why was the suspect allowed to be in the presence of other children at all!?!?
I have to say, the system failing is an understatement.
Smh. Wow. Bludgeoned a 3 year old with a hammer and he was allowed to ever step foot outside of that facility? Wth? And not letting the victims family know he was out? I'm literally sick to my stomach over this.
I will be bashed to hell and back for saying this but there is no fixing this monster. Age be danged. He is evil and needs to be locked up the rest of his life.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Yeah, I just knew that once his name was released that the story would get even worse. He is never going to see the light of day after this one. If they charge him as an Adult which they had better do. If they don't the community will go crazy. And, will have every right to do so..............IMO
This case is sad one so many levels. Marty's home was under investigation on several occasions. The sister is now in the care of Social Services and not going home.
http://www.nbc12.com/story/25457218/nbc12-investigation-martys-family-has-history-with-dss
The 16-year-old accused of killing Marty Cobb and sexually assaulting his sister appeared in court Tuesday for a status hearing. Mairese Washington was appointed a new attorney at the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
The change comes about because of some sort of conflict within the pubic defenders' office, which means no one from that office could take the case. Because of a gag order issued by the judge, however, it has been very difficult for us to get you information. No one was able to tell us what that conflict may have been.
A preliminary hearing is now scheduled for June 9.
Mairese Washington, 16, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 8-year-old Marty Cobb. Cobb's family says he was killed while trying to protect his sister from being assaulted...
On Monday, a grand jury is set to hear the case. In June, a judge ruled Washington would be tried as an adult. He is also charged with strangulation and malicious wounding against Marty's sister.
The teenager accused of killing a Richmond child and sexually assaulting another will stand trial in November. Prosecutors are expected to pursue a first-degree murder charge.
16-year-old Mairese Washington was in court Thursday at 2 p.m. for a scheduled plea hearing. No plea agreement was reached; the case will go to trial November 17 and 18.
Murder and three other felony charges were withdrawn against a 16-year-old Richmond boy accused of killing 8-year-old Martin Marty Cobb to give prosecutors time to potentially obtain additional forensic evidence from items sent for testing to the state lab...
Hopefully, the results will implicate Mr. Washington and relieve some of the burden and focus on the surviving juvenile victim, Herring said. She will be an integral witness in any trial of this case, and we appreciate the challenges inherent to her testimony...
Herring said he doesnt believe Washington poses any risk to the community while the case is on hold, but he declined to say whether the boy has been released to the custody of his parents or is being monitored in some fashion.
A grand jury has charged a Richmond teenager with murder in the death of an 8-year-old boy.
Seventeen-year-old Mairese Washington also is charged with strangulation and malicious wounding in an attack on the boy's sister.
Online court records show the Richmond grand jury handed up the indictments on Monday.