Boy Pleads Not Guilty in Russian Roulette Death

A Valencia teen-ager pleaded not guilty Friday to charges that he murdered a school friend during a one-sided game of Russian roulette, authorities said.

The 14-year-old, who was not named because of his age, denied the charge during a brief arraignment hearing at Sylmar Juvenile Court. Deputy Dist. Atty. Craig R. Richman said a denial in Juvenile Court is similar to a not guilty plea.

The boy is charged in the Tuesday killing of Gabriel Soto, 13, of Newhall. Authorities said the boy, Soto and another 14-year-old were in the boy’s home when he partially loaded his father’s gun and took turns pointing it at himself and the others, then pulling the trigger. Soto and the other boy, Aaron Schwartz, were described by Soto’s parents as unwilling participants.

The boy, who apparently played Russian roulette with another boy two weeks earlier, was being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall. Judge Morton Rochman scheduled a hearing June 21 to set a trial date. If convicted, the boy could be sentenced to the California Youth Authority until he is 25.