A 17-year-old boy will stand trial for murder after prosecutors say he shot and killed his 13-year-old sister in their Salt Lake City home in April.
On April 26, Joseph Landers, then 16, was at home near Sherwood Park with his sister, Angelica Hernandez, while she attended online school. Joseph and three other boys were also in the room chatting — then, her brother pulled a gun out of his pocket and said, “Who’s trying to get popped?”
Angelica told her brother to “shut up,” charging documents state, “because what if you accidentally do pull it?” Joseph then loaded the weapon and cocked it back to scare her, children who witnessed it told police, and he eventually pulled the trigger. Angelica died of her injuries suffered in the shooting.
Joseph was charged as an adult and faces two felony charges in the homicide case: first-degree murder, and possession or use of a firearm by a restricted person, court records state.
The boy is subject to enhanced penalties because of previous felony charges filed against him in juvenile court, which include burglary, car theft and unlawful control of a vehicle, according to court documents.
Joseph entered not guilty pleas to the murder and firearm possession charges during his arraignment on Monday, and the case was bound over for trial, court documents state. His next court appearance is scheduled for Oct. 31 at 8:30 a.m.
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