2 Accused in 1992 Slaying of Taft High Student, 15

Prosecutors filed murder charges Tuesday against two reputed gang members in the slaying of a Taft High School student nearly two years ago by a group of youths who apparently mistook him for a rival gang member.

Oscar Andres Lopez, 18, has been charged with the Aug. 5, 1992, stabbing of Lamoun Thames, a 15-year-old South Central Los Angeles boy who was attacked while waiting at a bus stop after attending a preseason football practice, authorities said. Lopez is expected to be arraigned by the end of the week.

A 17-year-old boy whose name is being held because of his age was arraigned Tuesday on murder and conspiracy charges for allegedly being present during the attack on Thames, who was not associated with a gang, authorities said.

“Witnesses said they saw two people get out of the car and approach Thames,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Richard Taklender said. “We filed on each of them.”

Taklender said his office will seek to have Lopez, who was 16 at the time of the slaying, tried as an adult. The 17-year-old would be tried as a juvenile.

Police arrested Lopez on Friday after a confidential informant said he had heard Lopez bragging that he had committed the crime.

Lopez is being held on $1-million bail on charges of participating in a spree of armed robberies in West Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley last month. He has been charged with attempted murder, seven counts of armed robbery and other counts in that case.