State Police: 13 year old son charged in father's murder

Tools

State Police: 13 year old son charged in father's murder

VERNON, N.Y. (WKTV) - A press conference was held at 2 p.m. on Thursday at the State Police Troop D Headquarters in Oneida.

The press conference covered the investigation into the January homicide of Joseph Giacona Jr, who was shot in the head in his Vernon home.

State Police say Joseph Giacona III, the son of the victim, has been arrested and charged in the murder. Giacona III was indicted on second-degree murder charges Thursday morning and will be tried as an adult in Oneida County Court.

At approximately 3:14 p.m. on January 24, Oneida County 911 received a call from Giacona III, who stated that he had arrived home from school and found his father, Giacona Jr., lying on the living room couch with a head injury.

State Police investigation at the scene revealed no indication of a struggle in the residence, no signs of forced entry and nothing missing from the home. The only weapons located in the home were found in a gun cabinet in the residence.

Assistant District Attorney Kurt Hameline said that Giacona plead not guilty at an arraignment in Oneida County Court.

Giacona is being held at the Oneida County Courthouse until a secure location can be found for him, Hameline said.

Hameline said that authorities are trying to place him in a facility in the Albany area, but could not confirm it.

When describing the State Police investigation, Hameline said the State Police did an extensive investigation, including talking to teachers, neighbors, kids who rode the school bus, all in an effort to make sure they had the right person.

Giacona III was a seventh-grader at VVS at the time the homicide took place back in January, but was enrolled in the Whitesboro School System as an eighth-grader when State Police arrested him Thursday morning, Hameline said.

The maximum that Giacona III could face is life in prison, Hameline said.

Click the VIDEO link for the FULL press conference.

View comments

The following comments do not necessarily represent the views of NBC-WKTV News Channel 2. Users have agreed to these terms and in doing so accept full responsibility for their comments. Moderation is limited.

Wednesday, Oct 15 at 8:18 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Chris & Michelle have a big surprise coming. As for Chris's wife has anyone stopped to think maybe she did know about Chris & michelle

9200119 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 6:27 AM Anonymous wrote ...

This is in response to "WHAT A JOKE" if Chris's wife hasn't figured out what is going on yet she will when this is over along with all the other secrets them 2 have to tell.

8720908 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 6:20 AM Anonymous wrote ...

I would like every viewer to look in that boys eyes,does anyone see a killer looking back. Didn't think so.

8720854 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Oct 2 at 1:12 AM bizzy wrote ...

they should not have put his picture up untill they proved he did it this just goes to show in this coutry your guilty until proven inesent

8684968 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Tuesday, Sep 30 at 6:34 AM Anonymous wrote ...

Kurt Hameline isn't competent enough to do his job, so he has had to lower himself to a thirteen year olds level. i guess that qualifies Joseph to prosecute cases. Scary hah!

7477709 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Sep 27 at 10:17 PM John Paul Osborn wrote ...

Hamline is a cowardly and cruel man. I sincerely hope he is getting his rocks off now with the thought of that young child's life and safety in his hands . . obviously he must get some perverse pleasure in torturing this boy with the thought serving him a "living death sentence." This boy should be tried in family court. Hamline is holding the adult court hammer over his head to force a plea or confession. It is a disgusting abuse of power and a clear example of state sanctioned child abuse.

7420079 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Sep 27 at 8:21 PM SUZIE wrote ...

MY PRAYERS AND THOUGHTS ARE WITH THIS ENTIRE FAMILY " ALWAYS A FRIEND"........SUZIE

7418419 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Sep 27 at 1:32 AM Vinetzeah wrote ...

Being abused by his dad does not give him license to kill the man, the boy had other avenues that he could have taken.The boy should be tried as an adult,he committed an adult crime.He would not be sent to an adult facility until he reached 21 years of age,he would be remanded to a JV facility,until he became an adult,so all you concerned about him being harmed in jail can rest easier...whatever the boys reason,he still has to pay for the crime,if he is guilty.

7404389 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Sep 27 at 1:27 AM Rouxcheline wrote ...

Does being abused mean that we can commit murder and get away with it? Do you know that a woman who kills a man,on avergave is sentenced to 25 to life,and serves an average of 13 years for the sentence....and a man who kills a woman ,gets a sentence of 25 to life,and on average serves 4 1/2 to 10 years? Abused women do not get a "get out of jail free" card when they are being beaten by a man...and they serve more time for killing him,than he would ever serve for beating and maiming them!

7404364 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Saturday, Sep 27 at 1:23 AM nauri wrote ...

Wow,what a lot of ignorance on this board! Do any of you geniuses who believe that this baby faced imp is innocent know that Ted Bundy was suspected of committing his first murder at age 15,and his victim was a 9 year old? Do you know that He surrounded his sleeping aunt with knives,and was holding one on her when she woke? That he did at age THREE! Sociopathic behaviour has no age limit,and yes,even baby faced darlings like this kid can kill without reason.

7404309 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 11:35 PM COUSIN MINDA wrote ...

I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL WHO HAVE BEEN THERE TO SUPPORT OUR FAMILY.IT'S BEEN A ROUGH 8 MONTHS.I ASK THAT YOU PLEASE KEEP KEKE AND JOSEPH IN YOUR PRAYERS.OUR FAMILY IS STRONG BUT YOUR SUPPORT JUST MAKES US STRONGER.KEKE LOVE AND MISS YA!!!

7402689 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 11:12 PM WHAT A JOKE wrote ...

I HOPE MICHELE AND CHRIS HAVE A HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER? BY THE WAY WHERE'S YOUR WIFE AND WHAT KIND OF FOOL IS SHE TO LET YOU MOVE THIS WOMAN IN YOUR HOME? HAS ANYONE INVESTIGATED HIM????????

7402174 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 7:09 PM curious wrote ...

Mr. Hamline all you have is CIRCUMSTANTIAL, where is the motive,he has up to this day said he did not do it, what do you want Blood??? this should be taken to family court not as an adult, i hope you can sleep well at nite, i hope his face haunt's you. Just remember if you go for election,i hope everyone agree's with me i won't vote 4 you.You just want your name in light's as the 1st. to get a CHILD up as an adult in this county, you have to live it and your family. Do you have kid's??? gd nite

7397439 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 3:37 PM Concerned about the justice system wrote ...

This whole thing is tragic, but I totally disagree with trying a 13 year old as an adult. I totally agree with the statement about the different statements. Have you ever seen the interrogation tactics used,again a defenseless child maybe abused and now being mentally pushed by police.I would say different things too.My heart goes out to the families.How does one sleep at night putting a child in like that in prison for life.There's something fishy about this investigation.he is in my prayers.

7391654 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 1:58 PM kate wrote ...

did they have any thing to show it was him ? this if 14 he would not be tryed as a adult , this case has many holes in it

7387864 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 1:07 PM To:Mohawk mom wrote ...

I'm sure it didn't occur to the police and/or DA that if he did it he might be abused. They probably just think he played too much Grand Theft Auto, or they have it n for young teens and want to frame him. Leave it to the pros mom, and stop thinking that watching Law & Order: SVU all the time makes you an expert.

7385819 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 12:42 PM questions??? wrote ...

If I were a 13 year old child being questioned by dozens of police officers, my story would probably have some holes in it,too. Whether he did it or not he has seen his father deceased, I think that would confuse anyone!

7384759 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 10:07 AM sw wrote ...

I would like to know where Joeys clothes are, did they they get tested for blood spatter, what about the gun shot residue that would have been all over him. I also would like to know why not one neighbor herd a gun go off. There are holes in the police statements about what happenend as well. I guess the only people that know what happenend that fateful day, is the person whe did it, the victim and GOD!! My thought are with both sides of the family!!

7377999 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Friday, Sep 26 at 8:11 AM I hope.. wrote ...

That if he is guilty, they lock him up for life!!!!!

7373664 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 11:58 PM shame wrote ...

they dont even have real proof he did it .... its only what they beleve ....... as already said this child need help not prison ....

7368969 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 9:41 PM dasjmy wrote ...

I can't believe the DA would charge this child as an adult. Hes 13 a baby still. I feel very bad for this family. My prayers go out to him and his family.

7365349 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 8:28 PM John Paul Osborn wrote ...

Apparently "PHD" is not so intelligent, after all. "Out at 18?" Well all we need to do is as Marty Tanklakoff about that misconception. That boy was sent to prison for life and, after spending DECADES in prison was finally released when new evidence exonerated him and the DA dropped the case. This is A 13 YEAR OLD CHILD, folks. He is small in stature and very young looking. He will be a target the MINUTE he enters prison. He will end up a more dangerous criminal . . or a dead kid.

7363424 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 8:12 PM PhDski, mar,prn,suv wrote ...

Wow look at all those letters so I be a noin wat I be a writin about! say what???

7362969 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 6:48 PM Not a PHD wrote ...

"PHD" you omit knowledge of "mitigating circumstances" and how they play into the typical abused housewife syndrome but have no interest in recognizing the possible mitigating circumstances in this kid's situation? Are you a member of the OC DA's office? Do you have no heart? Is your last name "Hamline"?

7360619 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 6:27 PM TC wrote ...

My thoughts and prayers go out to Joe, Mel, and Judy and her family. No one will win in this sad situation. Not only do they have to deal with the grief of losing a son and brother, but the tragedy that his son is accused of the crime. Hopefully he will go to a facilty where he will get intensive counseling. A mentally healthy child does not commit a crime like this. Again, my prayers are with the family.

7359884 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 5:08 PM Lanie 462 wrote ...

Shouldn't this child be tried as a child? He is not an adult. There appears to be more to this story than meets the eye. He needs help if he actually killed his Father, not life in prison where he will become a hardened criminal. What's wrong with our court system? It needs a complete overhaul and revamping if they want to try this boy as an adult.

7357079 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 4:52 PM What?????? wrote ...

Go to the Observer Dispatch website and his picture is there from his court hearing and his Mother is in the background. So...don't slam WKTV in the face for showing his picture!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

7356409 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 4:29 PM PhD wrote ...

Abused or not murder is murder, even with mitigating circumstance. Tragic? Yes. But murder just the same. Fear not, he'll be out at at 18 anyway.

7355294 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 4:20 PM Country Gal wrote ...

This is horrible.This poor child. I hope this is investigated as something had to off been majorily wrong in the family or in the childs head if he really did this.

7354859 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 4:08 PM John Paul Osborn wrote ...

The decision to try this young child as an adult is typical of the kind of abusive prosecutorial tactics taken against children in New York. It is utterly wrong and immoral. To saddle a 13 year old child with a possible life sentence is a horrible miscarriage of justice and suggests that the DA's office is advocating state sanctioned child abuse. Shame on them. Give this child the help, counselling and education he needs, if he is found guilty. Don't give this child a living death sentence.

7354109 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:50 PM Mohawk mom of 2 wrote ...

I highly doubt this kid shot his father as an afterschool activity. Has the DA checked into, why? My quess would be he was being sexually abused. If so, that father deserves to be dead and that BOY should be able to go on with his life in a new foster home with caring parents. Where is the so called Mother?

7353024 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:43 PM A crime is a crime wrote ...

I'm sure there was a proper investigation. 13 is young. Don't judge till you hear all the evidence.

7352589 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:38 PM sad wrote ...

i feel sorry for the family and child my thoghts and prayers are with all i dont agree with what the child has done but in some way find it in your hearts to not take this childs life away get him some help and try to teach this child right from wrong try to talk to the child hes young he has a future ahead of him

7352249 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:37 PM chris wrote ...

this man put his two week notice in a work, took vacation that week, and pretended to go to work the morning he got shot. I don't believe this kid did this. Didn't they test him for gun powder or finger prints on the gun, where's the real proof.

7352154 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:32 PM What???? wrote ...

Wow, you show the picture of a 14 year old, how about pictures of the kids in Little Falls or Chadwicks? The wktv "news team"is a joke!

7351859 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:32 PM WHY wrote ...

Why would they show the face of a minor? Even if he is the one that killed his father he is a juvenile and is face should not be shown till proven guilty.

7351849 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:27 PM amelia wrote ...

I know that he is charged with a serious crime but to be charged as an adult at 13?! I hope that someone finds out why that child would feel it necessary to kill his father before he is put in jail for life.

7351564 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:24 PM what wrote ...

The news with Don Shipman just said they weren't releasing the boys name at this time, but you put a picture of him on the web site???? I don't get it. How can he be enrolled at two different schools and two different grades at the same time?

7351434 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 3:09 PM So Sad wrote ...

My heart goes out to this child. If he really did do it, maybe there was some type of abuse going on between him and the father. I will keep this young man in my prayers!

7350599 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 2:53 PM what? wrote ...

How can a 13 year old (at the time of the incident) be tried as an adult? I don't agree.

7349729 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Thursday, Sep 25 at 2:47 PM Come on wrote ...

Give him a deal 1 to 2.oh wait he didnt drive him over in a drug induced stuper.give him 3 to 4

7349459 Inappropriate? Alert Us!

Add a comment

Name:

Comment: 500 Characters Left

NBC-WKTV News Channel 2 and its affiliated companies are not responsible for the content of comments posted or for anything arising out of use of the above comments or other interaction among the users. We reserve the right to screen, refuse to post, remove or edit user-generated content at any time and for any or no reason in our absolute and sole discretion without prior notice, although we have no duty to do so or to monitor any Public Forum.

I have read and agree to the terms

Hide comments

Weather

Icon
Current Temp 73.0 °F
Fair
More Weather

AP Video

Stock Quotes

Permanent Client link holder

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.

What's On