Crime & Safety

UPDATE: 13-Year-Old Boy Denies Murdering Wildomar Man

The alleged murder was discovered Sept. 18 when an assault call was placed to authorities.

9/27 UPDATE: The 13-year-old boy accused of murder in the killing death of a Wildomar man has denied the allegations, according to Riverside County District Attorney's spokesman John Hall. The defendant's next court hearing is scheduled on Oct. 16.

9/25 ORIGINAL POST: Formal charges of murder have now been filed against three people in the case of a man found dead in Wildomar Sept. 18.

A 13-year-old boy was arrested in Lake Elsinore Tuesday and is due in juvenile court tomorrow. He has been charged with murder, confirmed Riverside County District Attorney's Office spokesman John Hall.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The boy is not being tried as an adult due to his age, Hall said.

Murder charges have also been filed against two adults arrested last week in the case.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

and Anthony Albert Garcia, 32, are scheduled to answer charges Oct. 10. A parolee with felony convictions, Garcia waived his right to be arraigned Monday after his public defender declared he had a conflict and had to be relieved from the case.

In addition to the charge of murder, both Garcia and Stephens are also accused of lying in wait and committing the crime during the commission of a robbery.

They are also accused of killing the victim for the purpose of preventing his testimony in court or in retaliation for previous testimony.

Bail has not been set for Stephens or Garcia, the latter of which is accused of violating terms of his parole on prior convictions.

The alleged murder was discovered Sept. 18 when an assault call was placed to authorities. The victim -- whose identity has not yet been released by authorities -- was found about 6:35 p.m. in the area of Mariposa and Mission Trail roads.


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