BOISE -- A doctor, in the case of a 15-year-old boy accused of trying to set his home on fire, argued that his mental issues prevented him from being able to think clearly. But another doctor and a judge did not agree.
Now 15-year-old Matthew Abramowski will go to trial.
Doctors say Abramowski suffers from Asperger's syndrome, a form of Autism.
Dr. Trevor Hall, a child psychologist, says teens like Abramowski can sometimes struggle to make everyday decisions.
Hall has never meet Abramowski, but he does talk with kids and teens every day who are dealing with similar conditions. He says it's possible Abramowski did not fully comprehend the long-term consequences of his actions.
On April 26, police responded to a house fire in Boise. Hours later they say the fire was started intentionally by Abramowski who lived at that home.
Boise Police Detective Jeff Dustin said in a preliminary hearing Thursday, "Inside that guest bedroom, right next to the bed, there was a red gallon gas can, commonly used for your lawn mowers and what not."
Hours later police officers found Abramowski at a school near his home. They took the teen to the police station for questioning.
"He admitted that he was the one who started the fire and that it was intentionally set," said Dustin. "He stated that he was upset at being grounded the previous week and he wanted to kill his parents.”
Since then, the case has faced several delays. The most significant ones allowed for two court-ordered mental evaluations.
On Nov. 24, Judge John T. Hawley determined that Abramowski is competent to stand trial. He goes on to say that because of Abramowski's medical condition the legal process will be slowed.
Dr. Trevor Hall with the Children's Home Society, who has never met Abramowski, says that same reason could also be the cause for Abramowski's actions on the day in question.
"These kids aren't acting in a way where they're really trying to hurt, they're just acting in a way to say, I want you to feel what I'm feeling, which is typical teenage behavior," said Hall. "The way they do it is problematic, and it's different.”
According to court records doctors diagnosed Abramowski as having Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism. They also diagnosed him with language, anxiety, and behavioral disorders, in addition to major depression.
"You put those two together, the inability to really understand how consequences come together with the emotional, kind of in the moment feeling, that's really a problematic situation," says Hall.
The difference he says is that sometimes teens like Abramowski struggle with understanding cause and effect. How 'A' leads to 'B' which then leads to 'C'.
"In the child's mind with the child with autism's mind, it's like, I want them to feel what I'm feeling, very angry and I feel like devalued, so I'm going to get them the best way I know how," said Hall.
Dr. Hall also made it clear that it may be easy for some to say that kids with autism want to kill their parents. That, he says, is simply not the case. Each child is different. Each child is part of a bigger picture. And in the case of Abramowski, he says there is a lot more emotional and behavioral issues that contribute to his choices.
Judge Hawley determined in Thursday's preliminary hearing that there is enough evidence to charge Abramowski as an adult with first-degree arson. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 18.
