Second Boy Charged in Death of Woman, 82

Murder and attempted murder charges have been filed against a 16-year-old boy in the shooting death of Viola McClain, an 82-year-old Watts woman, the district attorney’s office announced Monday.

Another juvenile, who was just a few days shy of his 12th birthday on the day of the shooting, also has been charged with murder and attempted murder. Because he is under 14, he will be tried in Juvenile Court, officials said.

The older murder suspect is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 8 to set a date for a hearing to determine if he should be tried as an adult, the district attorney’s office said. He was 15 at the time of the slaying.

The names of the two suspects have been withheld because of their ages.

The two are accused of killing McClain, who was considered a pillar in her community, and trying to kill her grandson, Dumar Starks, who lived with her in a house across the street from the Nickerson Gardens housing project.

The July 26 slaying was particularly shocking because it took place just after the younger suspect--along with three other juveniles and one man--allegedly kidnapped and raped a 13-year-old girl in an abandoned house next door to McClain’s.

Authorities say the 16-year-old was not involved in the rape.