Charge upgraded against Va. teen in boy’s slaying

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Richmond grand jury has upgraded a murder charge against a teenager accused of killing an 8-year-old boy.

Media outlets report that the grand jury indicted 16-year-old Mairese J. Washington on a first-degree murder charge on Monday. Washington previously was charged with second-degree murder. He will be tried as an adult.

Washington also is accused of attacking the boy’s sister. He’s charged with malicious wounding and strangulation.

According to an affidavit filed in court, the boy’s 12-year-old sister told authorities that Washington beat her brother and choked her. The sister said she and her brother were playing on railroad tracks behind their home when the attack occurred on May 1.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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