2 Ind. boys accused of killing stepdad to run away

By CHARLES WILSON Associated Press Writer

WARSAW, Ind. (AP) - Prosecutors say two young boys from northern Indiana wanted to run away to Arizona so badly that they gunned down a stepfather who stood in the way of their plans.

A judge ruled Thursday that the boys - ages 15 and 12 - would be tried for murder as adults for allegedly shooting the older boy's stepfather, 49-year-old Phillip Danner. The Associated Press generally does not identify juveniles charged with crimes.

Neighbors and family members who testified at Thursday's hearing said the boys hadn't shown any signs of violence before Danner's slaying last week.

But Sheriff's Detective Jonathan Tyler said the boys had plotted for at least a month to kill Danner.

Both boys are being held in the Kosciusko County Jail.