Share
PORTERVILLE — Murder charges have been filed against two 13-year-old boys suspected of starting a blaze that killed two firefighters at a central California library.
The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office on Friday filed two counts of murder with special circumstances of multiple murders and arson, the Visalia Times Delta reported.
The boys denied the charges and remain in jail, the newspaper said. Their names were not released because they are minors. They are scheduled to return to juvenile court on March 11.
The Library Was Built in 1953 and Did Not Have Sprinklers
Firefighters Patrick Jones, 25, and Raymond Figueroa, 35, were killed as they battled the flames that gutted the library in the town about 50 miles north of Bakersfield in the San Joaquin Valley.
The library was built in 1953 and did not have sprinklers, said Fire Capt. Joanne Bear.
It was not immediately known if the boys have attorneys who can speak on their behalf.
In California, children under 14 can’t be tried as adults, even if they are charged with serious and violent felonies, such as murder.
RELATED TOPICS:
How Did Watchdog Respond to Arias Ethics Complaint on DA Smittcamp?
59 mins ago
Students, Faculty Call for University of Texas President to Resign Over Handling of Gaza Protests
2 hours ago
Here’s Why There’s Global Alarm Over Israel’s Rafah Offensive
2 hours ago
As California Cracks Down on Groundwater, What Happens to Fallowed Farmland?
3 hours ago
Study Says California’s 2023 Snowy Megadrought Rescue Was a Freak Event
4 hours ago
Planning for Potential Presidential Transition Underway by Biden Administration
4 hours ago
US Is Building a Pier off Gaza to Bring in Humanitarian Aid. Here’s How It Would Work.
5 hours ago
The Latest | Hush Money Trial Enters 3rd Week, Begins With Gag Order Ruling and $9K Fine for Trump