HONESDALE, Pa. (AP) - A 10-year-old Pennsylvania boy charged in the beating death of a 90-year-old woman is now being represented by a county public defender.

The (Scranton) Times-Tribune (http://bit.ly/1yundub) reported the change Friday.

A private attorney had been representing the Wayne County boy, and wanted the case transferred to juvenile court.

The boy is charged as an adult with criminal homicide in the Oct. 11 death of Helen Novak at the home of his grandfather, Novak's caretaker.

Authorities allege he lost his temper when she yelled at him, held her down with a cane and punched her in the throat and stomach.

Police say the boy told them he was "only trying to hurt her" and later admitted he "killed that lady."

The state attorney general's office is prosecuting the case.

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Information from: The Times-Tribune,

http://thetimes-tribune.com/