ANAHEIM : Teen-Ager’s Murder Trial Rescheduled

A new trial date has been set for Richard Bourassa Jr., an 18-year-old charged with murdering a classmate last year in his Anaheim Hills home.

Bourassa’s trial is scheduled to begin March 11 in Orange County Superior Court in Santa Ana. It had been scheduled to begin Tuesday, but his attorney, Edward W. Hall, asked for the delay on Friday because he is representing a defendant in another trial under way.

Orange County Superior Court Judge John J. Ryan approved the continuance but denied Hall’s request to have Bourassa’s bail reduced. He was returned Friday to Orange County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of $100,000 bail.

The former Canyon High School student is accused of murder in the May 24 shooting death of Christian Wiedepuhl, a 17-year-old friend.

Police had ruled another shooting by Bourassa an accident. He was holding a gun when he said it accidentally discharged and killed another friend, 13-year-old Jeffrey Bush, 3 1/2 years earlier in the same room of his home.

Bourassa has told authorities the shootings were accidents that occurred after both friends got out guns from his parents’ bedroom. He has said Wiedepuhl was shot as Bourassa took the gun away from him.

Prosecutors maintain that Bourassa, who turns 18 today, is lying.