Local News in Brief : Teen to Be Held Until Hearing in Boy’s Death

A 13-year-old North Hollywood boy accused of fatally shooting a 12-year-old friend while playing with his father’s handgun must remain in custody until a detention hearing is held Tuesday, a Sylmar Juvenile Court commissioner ruled Wednesday.

Despite claims by the boy’s attorney that the shooting was accidental and inconsistent with his character, Commissioner James Price said at the boy’s arraignment that evidence indicated the youth showed “a lack of self-control and recklessness” when he loaded his father’s .22-caliber revolver Saturday and fired one shot that killed Justin Newsome.

Attorney Barry P. King had argued that the boy, whose name was withheld, should be allowed to remain at home until his trial on a charge of second-degree murder.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jerry Bowes said there was no evidence to indicate the shooting was accidental. It “was intended, although perhaps impulsively,” Bowes said.

Police said the boys were playing with five rifles, two shotguns and a handgun in the bedroom of the older boy’s parents about 9:30 p.m. Saturday. The boys apparently had an argument, and Justin pointed an unloaded shotgun at the 13-year-old and clicked the trigger several times, police said.

The 13-year-old then loaded the handgun and fired the fatal shot, police said.

Price scheduled the trial for March 18.

Justin will be buried today after services at Church of the Hills at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.