Boy Held In Sister's Death Gets OK To Attend Her Funeral

YAKIMA - A 15-year-old boy arrested in the death of his sister during a game of Russian roulette will be allowed to attend his sibling's funeral today, a judge ruled.

The boy made an emotional appearance yesterday in Yakima County Juvenile Court, where family members pleaded with a judge to release him to attend the funeral.

Judge Susan Hahn granted the request, but only if the boy's family hired an off-duty police officer to escort him.

The boy was arrested Friday after his sister, Jeselle Deana Romero, also 15, was shot once in the head. Police say the two were playing Russian roulette with a .38-caliber revolver.

Police say the teenagers were alone at home when they put a single bullet into a revolver while playing a version of Russian roulette.

The 10:30 a.m. shooting occurred in their home. Jeselle Romero was pronounced dead at Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital about an hour later.

Deputy Prosecutor Kelley Olwell said she will file a motion to have the boy charged as an adult. She said prosecutors are considering a charge of first-degree manslaughter.