As a pair of 13-year-olds face murder charges in deaths of two firefighters, outrage has erupted in a California community over state laws barring the prosecution of the juveniles in adult court.
February 24, 2020, 10:19 PMThe fire at Porterville Library killed two California firefighters.As a pair of 13-year-old boys await arraignment on murder charges in the deaths of two firefighters who were killedthat destroyed a rural California town's library, outrage has erupted in the community over state laws barring the prosecution of the juveniles in adult court.
In an unusual move, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward released a video statement before the charges were even filed to explain the"significant limitation" his office faces in prosecuting the boys in the California juvenile justice system. Fire Captain Raymond Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones are pictured in photos released by the Porterville Fire Department in Porterville, Calif., on Feb. 19, 2020.
Jones, 25, and Figueroa, 35, were part of the Engine 71 crew that was first to arrive on the scene as heavy smoke poured from inside the library, officials said. Uncertain that everyone was evacuated, the two firefighters entered the burning building to search for victims. Shortly after they radioed a"mayday" call from inside.Figueroa was quickly found by a search crew and removed from the burning structure, authorities said.
"Once we determined that they were suspects in the crime, there was no more questioning for the juveniles," Kroutil said."We have to rely on other investigative means to confirm their involvement."
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