A case that has made national headlines and shaken the City of Newburgh took a major turn on Wednesday, as a 13-year-old boy was indicted for murder in the death of an 11-year-old. The teen pleaded not guilty during an emotional arraignment in Orange County Court, where tensions were high on both sides of the courtroom.

Relatives of the young victim, Matthew DeGroat, filled the gallery wearing T-shirts in his memory as the alleged gunman, handcuffed and shackled, was brought inside. Across the aisle, the teen suspect’s mother cried and called out to her son, telling him she loved him and to keep his head up.

The fatal shooting happened inside Matthew’s North Miller Street home on the morning of Oct. 9, 2024. The child had recently moved to Newburgh from Middletown after the death of his father. The tragic case has left the community reeling and has drawn national attention.

Prosecutors revealed for the first time during the arraignment that the gun used in the killing belonged to the 13-year-old suspect. They allege the defendant pointed the same gun at someone else days before the killing, and that he intentionally shot Matthew in the head.

Authorities previously said that Matthew was the victim of bullying and was seen crying and being slapped by an unidentified youth on a live social media recording in the days before his death.

In court, prosecutors also detailed what they described as a troubled and unstable life for the teenage suspect. They said he had been living in a hotel, frequently missing school, and had recently attempted to harm himself during a mental health crisis. They also revealed he was involved in an earlier shooting in the City of Newburgh, where he and his friends were shot at.

The Orange County District Attorney’s Office is requesting a protective order to limit who can access evidence in the case. Prosecutors say the order is designed to protect underage witnesses and sensitive material — allowing the defense to review the evidence but preventing some of it from being shared with the public or with the suspect’s family.

Defense attorney Laisa Pertet accused prosecutors of mishandling the investigation.

“I feel like the only reason you’d want a protective order and to limit access to information and evidence in this case is to cover up a hasty, botched investigation where a 13-year-old child was charged with killing his friend when there were several children in the home and an adult in the home,” Pertet said.

DeGroat family attorney LaTanya Watkins said the family is grateful the case is finally moving forward.

“They look forward to the day in court where justice is served for Matthew,” Watkins said. “We honor Matthew’s life, and the family will be here every step of the way.”

Judge Craig Brown denied bail for the teen but said he will allow the defense attorney to file a written bail application. He also issued protective orders for three members of Matthew’s family.

The judge warned that emotions must remain under control moving forward after learning that people connected to both families have received threats. Court officers increased security during the arraignment and escorted the families out separately.

The 13-year-old suspect is due back in court Dec. 3 and is being held at a secure facility in Rochester, New York. In addition to second-degree murder, he is also charged with tampering with physical evidence and menacing.