10 Year Old Wayne County Boy Accused of Murder

A ten year old Northeast Pennsylvania boy is being charged as an adult for allegedly killing a 90 year old woman who was being cared for by his grandfather.

Officials say Tristen Kurilla from Damascus Township in Wayne County is accused of murdering Helen Novak after she yelled at him to get out of her room October 11.

Prosecutors say the child punched the elderly woman several times and held her cane against her throat until she was dead.

The ten year old’s grandfather went into Novak’s room later in the day to check on her and found her unresponsive.

Troopers say when they interviewed Kurilla he told them he killed the lady but was only trying to hurt her.

Prosecutors say charging the boy as an adult is standard procedure given the gravity of the crime.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled in Wayne County criminal court October 22^nd.

The child’s lawyer, Bernard Brown says he not only wants the case moved into the Juvenile system but is trying to get Kurilla released on bail into his father’s custody.