Boy Accused in Mother’s Slaying Is Kept in Custody

A 14-year-old Yorba Linda boy who police say confessed to gunning down his mother during an argument appeared Tuesday in Juvenile Court while his distraught father fought back tears in the gallery.

Daniel P. Connolly, a freshman at Esperanza High School in Anaheim, was ordered during a brief hearing to remain in custody on murder charges. The youth appeared puffy-eyed and did not look at his father, Philip Connolly, a captain with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The youth is to return to court March 8. A hearing will be scheduled then to decide whether he will be tried as an adult in the fatal shooting of Cynthia Connolly, a 42-year-old dental hygienist.

Prosecutors are seeking to use a year-old law that lowered to 14 the age at which children can be tried and punished as adults for felonies such as murder and robbery.

Daniel Connolly, wearing a blue sweatsuit issued by Juvenile Hall, spoke only to answer two brief questions from Presiding Juvenile Court Judge Frank F. Fasel. Throughout the hearing, the youth sat staring at the floor. His father glanced at him and, seeming on the brink of tears several times, closed his eyes tightly.

Investigators said Daniel Connolly shot his mother with a .22-caliber handgun that belonged to the family.

The youth called police shortly after the Thursday shooting and later confessed to firing at his mother, police said. Authorities said the teen, who had no history of problems, apparently lost his temper during an argument.

Relatives and neighbors portrayed the family as close-knit with no outward signs of trouble and described Cynthia Connolly as a devoted parent.

Philip Connolly and a 9-year-old daughter were not home at the time of the shooting.

Memorial services for Cynthia Connolly will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Messiah Lutheran Church of Yorba Linda, 4861 Liverpool St. Family members asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made to a fund being set up for the daughter. Donations are being accepted at the Orange County Fire Authority.