Updated: 11-Year-Old Boy Stabbed On Muni Still Not Sure Suspect in Custody Was His Assailant, But DA's Office Is

If they were going to base the charge entirely on a 10-year-old eyewitness who was also the victim three months ago then we are screwed.

Thanks for asking the question regarding Healthy SF! Sad that the program does not cover the relatives of those in the program. I mean, if you are in HSF, then your kids should get some insurance somewhere!

Children are highly unreliable witnesses and usually their testimony is inadmissible due to its unrealiability. However, it is not necessary for a minor child to be able to identify the suspect. Other witnesses can come forward as well to provide circumstantial evidence of the crime.

Wouldn't it be great if the DA's office (or Brown's defense) would call us back and confirm that for us, blooms? We'd love to be able to say that in the story, if they have other things they're basing the case on -- or if they do not!

@Eve: your 9/4/09 filing describes "witnesses" who aided the boy after he was stabbed. If I were the DA, I wouldn't say much right now. Roy Lefcourt is a damned good criminal defense lawyer. If I were Kamala Harris, I'd play this one close to the vest. Given two recent instances of witness intimidation by defense lawyers in SF, I would also be keeping the witnesses on the DL for the moment.

I doubt he'd have been charged without the DA first interviewing both the boy and other witnesses. Stick around for the preliminary hearing, when we'll have a better idea of what evidence the DA has. Don't forget forensic evidence either (do they have the knife yet? was the same weapon used in each stabbing? is there any dna or blood on that weapon with prints of the suspect on the handle?). Good times.

Fortunately, Brian called me back and I was able to amend with some more details. I'm intrigued by your characterization of Lefcourt! Tell me more, (either here or you know how to reach me otherwise.)

There's a separate state program called "Healthy Families" http://healthyfamilies.ca.gov/Home/default.aspx which predates "Healthy SF" and covers children under 19 & pregnant women.