CHRONOLOGY OF BOURASSA CASE

Sept. 12, 1986. Richard H. Bourassa Jr. and Jeffrey A. Bush, both 13, are playing with a 12-gauge shotgun and a .22-caliber rifle shortly after 4 p.m. in Bourassa’s Anaheim Hills home when the shotgun Bourassa is holding fires, spraying the room with buckshot and hitting Jeffrey in the body and head. There are no witnesses. Police later rule the death accidental.

May 24, 1990. Almost four years later, at roughly the same time of day and in the same part of Bourassa’s family home, Bourassa and classmate Christian Wiedepuhl, 17, retrieve a .38-caliber revolver belonging to Bourassa’s stepfather. According to prosecutors, Bourassa shoots Christian in the head while acting out a form of Russian roulette. Bourassa, however, contends that as Christian knelt to retrieve a holster that had dropped to the floor, the gun in Bourassa’s hand accidentally fired, hitting Christian above the right eyebrow. Bourassa calls police. “My God,” he asks the police dispatcher, “will I be in trouble for this?”

Sept. 23, 1990. After a lengthy investigation, prosecutors file a murder charge against Bourassa in connection with Christian’s shooting.

Sept. 25, 1990. Bourassa, who had been living in the San Bernardino desert with relatives, turns himself in to authorities.

Oct. 15, 1990. Juvenile Court Judge C. Robert Jameson rules that Bourassa “is an unfit subject to be processed in the Juvenile Court.” Bourassa is transferred to Orange County Jail and is held on $200,000 bail.

Nov. 15, 1990. North Orange Municipal Judge Margaret R. Anderson orders Bourassa to stand trial on a murder charge stemming from Christian’s shooting. The judge says Bourassa’s explanation of the shooting is a “rather an incredible version” of the events and calls Bourassa’s statements about being unfamiliar with guns “totally unbelievable.”

May 3, 1991. Superior Court Judge Robert Fitzgerald rules that details of Jeffrey Bush’s 1986 shooting may be admitted as evidence in Bourassa’s trial.

May 6, 1991. As Bourassa’s trial is set to begin with jury selection, the defendant pleads guilty to second-degree murder. “You do appreciate that it’s time to stop shooting people, is that correct?” asks Judge Fitzgerald. “Yes,” replies the defendant, weeping. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years to life in prison. The judge sets a sentencing hearing for June 28.