KENTWOOD, Mich. -- The mother of 12-year-old Jamarion Lawhorn’s half brother is speaking out to FOX 17.
Ashley Flint said that the child murder suspect has spent years attempting to escape what she calls “bullies”. Flint said that Jamarion moved to New York last year to live with his father.
She said Jamarion and her son Jacoby have the same father, and said that Jamarion has always been a part of their life.
"If I didn't know Jamarion, I would probably feel exactly the same way they feel. A lot of people even on your site are saying Jamarion is a monster, which I know he's not,” said Flint.
She said that last year, Jamarion was getting into physical altercations at his school here in west Michigan, so he moved out by his father to Geneva, New York.
"When he left Michigan, he was fighting in school and it was mainly because other children taunted him or picked on him. He didn't think it would be like that in New York,” said Flint.
Flint said that although Jamarion didn’t get into much trouble while in New York, he felt lonely because he didn’t know many people. Flint said that Jamarion moved back to Michigan in June.
"I feel bad for any child put in a situation like that. I mean one that's always been so, in my presence always been so nice and loving towards others; polite,” said Flint.
On Tuesday, 12-year-old Jamarion Lawhorn was charged as an adult for the murder of 9-year-old Connor Verkerke outside a playground where the victim lived in Kentwood.
Flint said that she’s never seen Jamarion display any behavior that alarmed her.
"I can't think of what he's thinking in his mind. He must be scared to death I guess. I mean, I know he knew what he did, but I don't know if he, a 12-year-old, is really capable thinking of the repercussions of that,” said Flint.
Flint said that her heart also breaks for Verkerke’s family.
She said that she’s now left with the task of telling her son that he might not see his big brother any time soon.
Jamarion’s defense has already requested a competency hearing to determine if he is capable to stand trial. He is due back in court on Aug. 13.
