Maryland Teen Allegedly Killed His Mom with Hammer But Lawyer Says ‘He Is a Victim of Abuse’

A 16-year-old Maryland boy accused of killing his mother with a hammer has been charged as an adult with murder — but the teen’s defense attorney says the boy was pushed to his rage after allegedly enduring ongoing mental and physical abuse from his mother.

Andrew Zaragoza allegedly killed his mother, 56-year-old Donna Zaragoza, on July 20. The teen is being held without bond and has yet to enter pleas to the charges against him, which in addition to murder include one count each of assault and use of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure.

Officers were summoned to the Zaragoza home Thursday morning after receiving reports about a man threatening suicide, according to a statement from the Harford County Sheriff’s Office.

Police entered the Bel Air home and found Donna dead from “apparent blunt force trauma.” Detectives allege a hammer was used in the attack.

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