GALLATIN, TN (WSMV) -
A 15-year-old Hendersonville boy charged with murdering his mother appeared in court for the first time Tuesday.
The teen is accused of bludgeoning his mother to death early Saturday and then trying to set the family's home on fire while his 16-year-old brother was still inside asleep.
The teen suspect's court-appointed defense attorney said there is a lot more that was going on with the family than we know, and he is fighting to have the teen tried in juvenile court.
"I have information that leads me to believe there were a lot more problems with this family than I've seen in the press," said Defense Attorney Ray Lucas.
But the Sumner County district attorney wants him charged as an adult.
Authorities identified the victim as Melanie Davis, 46, a single widow to the two teenage boys.
Investigators said the 15-year-old confessed to the murder, and a juvenile judge ordered that he stay behind bars and undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
The teen's defense attorney asked the judge for a gag order, saying investigators were releasing too much information to the media. The judge met him halfway, saying specific information about the investigation cannot be released.
He also said the teen's name can not be released because of his age, but investigators are allowed to disclose procedural information.
The Melanie Davis Memorial Fund has been set up at Sumner Bank & Trust.
Donations can be made at branches in Hendersonville and Gallatin. Money raised will go toward Davis' 16-year-old son.
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