PORTERVILLE, Calif. – On Monday in Tulare County Juvenile Court, Judge Hugo Loza dismissed murder charges against two 15-year-old minors in the deaths of two Porterville firefighters.
Witnesses testified that on the afternoon of February 18, 2020, the minors, who were both 13-years-old at the time, were present in the children’s reading area. Evidence showed that one minor said he lit a piece of paper on fire and handed it to the other minor. Video evidence showed the minors fled together as the fire quickly spread to stuffed animals, decorations, and other children’s items. As firefighters fought the blaze, Captain Raymond Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones died while engaged in firefighting operations.
The investigation uncovered that upon being first contacted by law enforcement, the minors denied being at the library when the fire started. After confronted with video evidence, the teens were arrested and placed inside a police vehicle where the two were recorded discussing events from when they were in the library together.
Both minors were charged with murder and arson. Due to the age of the minors, California law forbid them from being tried as adults. At trial beginning on August 17, 2022, prosecutors began presenting evidence. On August 22, 2022, acting as both judge and jury for the juvenile proceeding, the court dismissed the murder charges. One minor will face disposition (sentencing) for two counts of aggravated arson on September 28, 2022.
“It is absurd that the Judge apparently found more fault on part of the victims or their equipment than he placed on the minor who was responsible for lighting the fire. We share the continued grief and frustration of the families in the Judge’s decision not to hold these minors responsible in the loss of their family members, and the loss to the entire community of Porterville,” said District Attorney Tim Ward.
TCDAO
News by Breaking911
