Slaying Suspect, 11, Faces New Counts
SAN JOSE — Counts of unlawful imprisonment and assault involving neighborhood bullying incidents have been added to the charges against a sixth-grader suspected of killing a playmate.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Kurt Kumli said Tuesday that five additional charges have been filed against the 11-year-old boy. They bring to 17 the total counts against the youngster, charged Nov. 22 with manslaughter and assault with a deadly weapon in the Aug. 2 shooting death of Carmella Aldama, 11.
The girl died of a single gunshot wound suffered while the suspect allegedly brandished a .22-caliber semiautomatic rifle in the bedroom of his parents’ home.
After talking with other playmates and with parents, investigators had also charged the boy with six counts of exhibiting a weapon in an angry and threatening manner, three counts of battery or use of force or violence against another person and one of assault with a deadly weapon. One of the new counts involves the detainment of another child, and another involves throwing rocks at a car.
The allegations are “as severe as anything we get in Juvenile Court,” Kumli said.
More to Read
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.