Witnesses: Idaho Teen Accused in Killing was Brother’s Keeper

COEUR D'ALENE, Idaho (AP) — Law enforcement officials, social workers and health care providers who encountered a 16-year-old boy accused of killing his father and younger brother in Coeur d'Alene say the boy was his brother's caretaker.

The Coeur d'Alene Press reports that more than 20 defense witnesses were called Thursday during Eldon Samuel III's double-murder trial. Samuel III is being charged as an adult in the killing of his 46-year-old father, Eldon Samuel Jr., and his 13-year-old brother, Jonathan Samuel, on March 24, 2014.

Witnesses say Jonathan Samuel, who had autism, spent most of his time in Eldon Samuel III's care. Social workers testified that their parents were often on drugs or fighting. The defense is seeking to show the killing of Eldon Samuel Jr. was self-defense.