J.D., Matter Of

CORNELIUS, Chief Justice.

J.D., a sixteen-year-old male, was adjudged delinquent and committed to the Texas Youth Commission for an indefinite time. The proceedings resulted from an incident where J.D. killed his natural father by shooting him with a shotgun. The State alleged a violation of Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 19.04 (Vernon 1989) (voluntary manslaughter).

J.D. was represented by legal counsel and was accompanied by his mother during the adjudication and disposition hearings. He signed written statements admitting the offense, waiving a jury trial, and stipulating to all of the evidence.

Eight…