Attorneys argue boy accused of killing mom, brother, should be tried as juvenile

NEW STANTON, Pa. — A teenage boy went before a Westmoreland County judge Thursday, accused of murdering his mother and brother.

Jacob Remaley is 16 years old and his fate is now in the hands of the judge, who will decide if the case will move forward with Remaley charged as an adult.

Channel 11 was there for explosive testimony from two experts in the mental health field who gave widely different opinions.

The defense said Remaley had four different personalities at the time of the shootings.

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Remaley’s public defenders are pushing to have his case moved to juvenile court.

A forensic psychologist testified Thursday that multiple personalities drove the teenager to shoot and kill his mother and younger brother in New Stanton two years ago.

The psychologist, Dr. Alice Applegate, said he had four personalities — Wrath was the dominant personality, commanding him to murder his mother, Dana, and brother Caleb.

“Jacob was the host, he was listening to commands from Wrath,” she testified.

“He understands he can never take that back, he can never bring his mother and brother back," said Wayne McGrew, Remaley's attorney. "He’s very upset about it, always conscious of how much it hurt his family.”

Applegate claimed Jacob dealt with stressful situations at home — abuse, pressure to perform academically, depression and suicidal thoughts.

For the first time, we heard from his father inside the courtroom.

“On Nov. 30, I lost my whole family," he testified. "Every day I question the things I’ve done in my life. He’s my son and my responsibility.”

Meanwhile, prosecutors called a psychiatrist who testified to Remaley’s alternate personalities, calling Jacob's stories about his personalities "inconsistent." Investigators also found Google searches about killing and murder.

The defense countered by saying treatment is working.

Family members sat in the front row right behind Remaley. They told Channel 11 they’d like to see the case moved to the juvenile system.

A judge will make a decision in 20 days.

Cox Media Group