Teens could be tried as adults in Walla Walla fatal stabbing
By Terry Murry on Wednesday, September 6th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
WALLA WALLA – A series of decline hearings have been set involving the three Kennewick teenagers charged with first-degree murder in the death of a man whose body was found last summer in Walla Walla County. Decline hearings determine whether to transfer the pending charges for adult criminal prosecution.
Walla Walla County Prosecuting Attorney Gabe Acosta said the first decline hearing is scheduled for Sept. 15. At the time of the alleged crime, two of the suspects were 16 and the third was 14.
Following the decline hearings, Acosta said a series of fact-finding hearings regarding the case will be held with the first one scheduled for Sept. 26. Both decline hearings and fact-finding hearings will continue for the three defendants into the latter part of October.
The case centers around the death of Miguel Perez-Barragan, 24, from the Tri-Cities area, who was stabbed following an argument on or around June 28, 2022. It happened off Kibler Road near the Walla Walla Regional Airport. The victim’s body wasn’t found until July 5.
After Barragan’s body was found, police received a tip that one of the suspect’s brothers watched a video of Barragan being stabbed. Further investigation led detectives to learn the three teens allegedly shared Instagram messages admitting to the murder and saying they needed to flee to the Tri-Cities to avoid arrest.
