Crooks Pleads Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity

(ABC 6 NEWS) -- Noah Crooks was 13-years-old on the March day when he allegedly shot his mother more than 20 times.

On Tuesday morning, Noah Crooks got his day in court.

Wearing restraints and escorted by law enforcement officers and his attorney, the now 14-year-old Crooks appeared in a courtroom at the Cerro Gordo County Law Enforcement Complex for arraignment.

Noah Crooks faces felony charges of first degree murder and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse for allegedly shooting his mother, 37 year old Gretchen Crooks, 21 times with a semi-automatic rifle at the family's home west of Osage.

Through his attorney, Noah Crooks pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and filed notice of intent to pursue a "diminished capacity" or insanity defense.

"Is it your contention that Noah Crooks did not kill his mother?," ABC 6 asked defense attorney William Kutmus after Crooks’ first court appearance.

"I'm not going to comment on that,” Kutmus replied. “I mean it's obvious if I'm giving an insanity defense it speaks for itself."

A judge had earlier ruled that Crooks would be waived to district court as a 'youthful offender'.  It means that if convicted, Crooks could remain in the court system past his 18th birthday.

Defense attorney William Kutmus waived Noah Crooks' right to a speedy trial, and told us he would expect a request for a change of venue because of pre-trial publicity surrounding the case.

No date has yet been set for Noah Crooks' next court appearance.