Local Boy Accused Of Slaying Mother In India May Not Get Trial For Year

A 16-year-old South Fayette High School student has been arrested on suspicion of killing his mother in a tourist resort in western India, police said Monday. Indian law could keep the boy in a juvenile detention center in the country for a year before he gets charged.

The woman, identified as Cindy Iannarelli, 51, of South Fayette Township, was found with her throat slit at the resort in the historic town of Osian in Rajasthan state on Thursday.

Police superintendent Girdhari Lal Sharma said the 16-year-old son, Joncarlo Patton, was questioned and later arrested on Saturday. A judge ordered he be sent to a juvenile detention facility pending investigation.

Under Indian law, Patton would face charges when an investigation is complete, unless American officials seek his return to the U.S.

A post-mortem examination of Iannerelli's body showed that a sharp-edged weapon was used to slit her throat, Sharma said.

During questioning, Patton told the police that he was traumatized by his parents' divorce and wanted them to reconcile, Sharma said.

He also told the police that he had a heated argument with his mother on Thursday night and killed her, according to Sharma.

India news media are calling the killing a "cold-blooded murder." According to The Times of India, police said they think Patton carefully planned the murder, using surgical gloves and trying to hide his mother's clothes and documents, so that she couldn't be identified.

Patton left the resort early Friday and was picked up at the airport in the nearest big town, Jodhpur, 60 miles away, Sharma said. He carried his mother's travel documents and credit cards and dumped them in a dustbin at the airport, Sharma said.

Police later recovered the documents.

According to police, Patton said he had been studying in Italy, and he and his mother had come to India to see the country.

Iannarelli's body is being sent to the United States, Sharma said.

On Sunday, family friend Terri Bercelli, shared the final text message she received from Iannarelli.

"She texted me a message the 12th, Thursday evening, about having a great time in India and that she was in a tent in the desert in India ready to ride a camel," said Bercelli.

The text said Iannarelli was looking forward to seeing Bercelli next Sunday. But the next morning, Bercelli said she received a phone call telling her that her friend was dead.

"I honestly cannot imagine this kid doing this at all. When my cousin called me and told me the news of Cindy's murder and then said that Joncarlo was the main suspect, I thought that was crazy," said Bercelli.

Patton is a model with Bercelli's talent agency. She said she can't believe he would be capable of murder.

"It was an adorable teenage mother-son relationship,” said Bercelli. “That's why I am totally baffled by this. I can't believe that. We are innocent until proven guilty, and that is not what I am hearing splashing all over the news.”

Patton's father, G.R. Patton released a statement Monday saying, "This is an unimaginable tragedy for our families. Our major concern is for the ongoing wellbeing of Joncarlo. We appreciate all of the prayers and thoughts of support from families, friends and colleagues. There is still little information available so additional comments are not appropriate at this time."

Previous Stories: August 14, 2010: Teen Accused Of Killing Mother In India Being Held

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