Murder Charges Filed Against 2 Teen-Agers

Murder charges were filed against two Lancaster teen-agers suspected of taking part in the killing of one man and the beating and stabbing of two others at a party earlier this month, authorities said.

Five people have now been charged in the slaying.

The two 16-year-old boys were also charged with attempted robbery, assault and attempted murder and were being held at Sylmar Juvenile Hall, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert Cohen said.

The youths participated in the killing of Merle Grinder, 22, of Lancaster, shot to death June 2 outside a party in the 46400 block of 80th Street West, Cohen said.

Grinder had gone to the party with friends, including Joseph Gray, 24.

As the party ended several people, including the two youths, attempted to rob Gray and beat and kicked him as he pleaded for his life, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert B. Foltz said.

Grinder was shot to death when he attempted to intervene, Foltz said.

His body was found in the street with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest, a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy said.

Michael McGowan, 25, also a friend of Grinder, was stabbed and beaten by the crowd, Foltz said. McGowan and Gray survived the attack.

The two 16-year-olds were arrested at their houses Monday by homicide detectives, a department spokesman said.

Murder charges were filed last week against Freddy Ruiz, 20, of Lancaster, Jim Joe McGrath, 21, of Palmdale, and a 17-year-old Lancaster youth in connection with the death of Grinder.