Court to determine if teens will be tried as adults
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – With three teenage boys, all from Kennewick, now in custody in Walla Walla County for their alleged involvement in the death of Miguel Perez Barragan, 24, the court will hold a hearing to determine if they should be tried as juveniles or be tried in adult court.
Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Nagle said the maximum punishment as a juvenile is commitment to age 21. The maximum punishment as an adult is life in prison.
The hearing has not been scheduled, but Nagle said it will probably be held in the next month or two. Nagle said the hearing will probably involve experts in juvenile development testifying on several criteria including, but not limited to, the seriousness of the crime and the way it was committed. The sophistication and maturity of each juvenile, their offense history and contacts are among other factors under consideration.
On Friday, the Pasco Police Department arrested the third suspect, a 16-year-old boy, who is believed to be the last individual associated with this crime. Two other teenage boys, ages 14 and 16, were arrested earlier. All three of the teens have been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Barragan. The victim’s remains were found July 5 off Kibler Road northeast of Walla Walla.
