Youth Could Be 1st Under New Ruling to Face Murder Charges in Death of Fetus
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FRESNO — In what may be the first case of its kind in California, a Fresno teen-ager could be charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of his girlfriend’s fetus.
The 4-month fetus died Friday, a day after Ramon Orosco, 18, shot his 14-year-old pregnant girlfriend in the back for talking with another boy, police said. Maria Torres was listed in extremely critical condition at Fresno’s Valley Medical Center.
Assistant Dist. Atty. Robert Freed said Orosco will be charged with murder. Because of a state Supreme Court ruling in May, the killing of a non-viable fetus can be considered murder. Previously, the court held that a murder charge was warranted only if the fetus was old enough to survive at birth.
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