YORK COUNTY, S.C. -- The family of 17-year-old Jacob Morgan is coming to his defense. He's accused of starting a fire that claimed the life of his 14-month-old brother Joshua Hill.
"He's been heartbroken. He's been torn up like the rest of us," said James Hill, his stepfather.
York County deputies say that Morgan set a fire in the family's mobile home, located in a trailer park in Lesslie. He's upset because he doesn't believe that the teen is capable of such a crime.
"You can trick him into saying whatever you want him to say and that's what I think these officers did."
Hill believes he should have been allowed to see his stepson while he was being interviewed by investigators.
NBC Charlotte asked defense attorney John Shiflet if the parents have a legal leg to stand on. "I would probably say not. My understanding, the individual is 17 years old and he would be treated as you or I would," he said. He is not connected with this case.
Hill says one of the reasons his stepson is not capable of this crime is because he suffers from severe mental and educational disabilities.
"He's got dysgraphia and dyslexia. He can't write very well. He can't spell very well. When the officer told me he wrote this long complicated statement, I knew right then something was up," he said.
Shiflet says that if true, it's possible it could affect the charges against Morgan.
"If a court finds he does have some incapacity, that might have a bearing on whether or not he's criminally responsible for his actions," said the attorney.
