Eight Boston Teen-Agers Charged in Savage Slaying of Young Mother

Eight teen-agers have been charged with raping and murdering a young mother in a “wilding” attack that police said rivals New York’s Central Park jogger case in savagery.

The eight were arraigned Monday in the slaying of Kimberly Rae Harbour, 26, who was beaten with a branch and a broken bottle, repeatedly raped and stabbed more than 100 times, according to officials. Her body was found in a playing field near the housing complex where she lived.

“One person jumped on top of her repeatedly,” Detective Peter J. O’Malley said during the arraignment.

Police and residents said the crime is not typical of the housing development. Officials credited residents with assisting in the investigation.

Police said the Boston youths went out as a group on Halloween night looking for women to rob. The victim was robbed only of her coat and $1, officials said. The arrests reportedly came about because the youths were bragging about the crime.

The victim’s 7-year-old daughter now lives with relatives in Virginia.

Carlos Garcia and Corey James, both 18, and Che Barnes, 17, all of Boston’s Dorchester section, were being held in jail without bail on charges of aggravated rape, murder and armed robbery.

Five juveniles ages 14 to 16 also were arraigned in the attack and were placed in juvenile custody. Their names were withheld.

Detective Lt. Edward McNelley, head of the homicide squad, said the case shares similarities with the New York attack, in which a gang of youths jumped, raped and beat a 28-year-old investment banker jogging in Central Park.

The jogger survived despite losing much of her blood.