Youth Admits Killing Family, Setting Fire

A psychologically disturbed teenager accused of killing five members of his family in 1996 and then setting fire to his grandparents’ condominium to cover up the crime pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Joshua Bradley Jenkins, who was 15 when the killings occurred, pleaded guilty to murdering his grandparents, parents and 10-year-old sister. The youth, who had a history of psychological problems, was angry about being sent to the Vista del Mar boarding school for troubled youths in West Los Angeles, officials said.

Jenkins admitted killing his parents--George Jenkins, 50, and Alene Jenkins 48, of Las Vegas--and his grandparents--William Grossman, 78, and Evelyn Grossman, 74--with a hammer, knife and ax and then killing his sister, Megan. The Jenkins were staying with the Grossmans at their condominium in Vista.

Jenkins had earlier pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Although all psychologists and psychiatrists who have examined him agree that Jenkins is mentally ill, there is disagreement about whether he was insane.

The trial will now proceed to the insanity phase. If found insane, he could be sentenced to a state hospital. If found sane, he faces charges that carry a maximum of 140 years in prison.