Parents Consider Wrongful Death Suit For Son's Death

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The parents of a 9-year-old boy who was shot and killed by a 14-year-old last summer have threatened to file a civil lawsuit against the 14-year-old's parents.

Eric Alan Stoneman was sentenced in December to 10 years (four in a juvenile justice facility and 6 in state prison) for the shooting death of Taylor Demarco.

Taylor's parents, Bill DeMarco and Wendi Robyn, opposed any change in the first-degree murder and charges filed against Stoneman as an adult by District Attorney Colleen Truden's office. That meant a murder conviction would have sent Stoneman to prison for the rest of his life without parole.

Stoneman shot and killed Taylor DeMarco with his mother's .22-caliber handgun on July 20 after he had reportedly been taunted by DeMarco and a third youth. He went home and returned with the gun, pointed it at the two boys, put the barrel in his own mouth to apparently show the safety was on, but shot Taylor DeMarco once in the chest.

In addition to threatening a wrongful death lawsuit, the DeMarcos may ask Colorado lawmakers to consider a bill holding parents responsible when their children use guns.

Read more: Civil Lawsuit Considered (GJSentinel.com)