Thursday, December 24, 2009

Grandview Homicide suspect to be tried as adult


YAKIMA, Wash. -- The 17-year-old boy accused of killing a teenage girl in Grandview last weekend will be charged with first-degree murder in adult court, authorities said.

Heriberto Saucedo was transferred Wednesday to Yakima County Jail, where his bail remains at $1 million. A Yakima County Juvenile Court commissioner signed an order Wednesday to move the case to adult court.

He will be arraigned at a 1:30 p.m. hearing today in Yakima County Superior Court.

Saucedo is accused of killing Chelsie Stoneking, 16, who was discovered dead early Sunday morning at her home in the 200 block of Pleasant Avenue. An autopsy Tuesday determined that she was suffocated, stabbed and beaten to death.

It remains unclear what the relationship was between her and Saucedo. Police and prosecutors have released few details, and members of both families have not said much.

A relative of Stoneking said the girl and Saucedo had lived together as friends. Both families declined to comment after the hearing Wednesday at juvenile court.

Saucedo had initially been charged in juvenile court with second-degree murder. But County Prosecutor Jim Hagarty said the charge was elevated because the homicide appears to have been premeditated. The charge may still be revised, depending on the ongoing Grandview police investigation, he added.

Relatives said Stoneking was a mother. Her 7-month-old son, Quincy Don Stoneking, will now be cared for by his grandmother. Herald-Republic birth records don't list a father.

Stoneking was a sophomore at Grandview's Compass High School, an alternative program for students who work or have children.

http://www.yakima-herald.com/stories/2009/12/23/12-24-09-grandview-charging

No comments:

Post a Comment