A 15-year-old Tacoma boy accused with his brother of stabbing another teenager to death pleaded not guilty Wednesday to first-degree murder and robbery.
Pierce County prosecutors charged Cristobal Arroyo as an adult. His older brother, Luis Arroyo, has also pleaded not guilty and remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail.
The brothers are accused of killing 15-year-old Hector Hernandez-Valdez on June 1, 2012. Prosecutors say the brothers attacked Hernandez-Valdez at their home in the 800 block of East 52nd Street with a knife and a shank, stabbing him dozens of times before dumping the dying boy in the bathtub and cutting his throat.
The Arroyos then hid the body in a recycling bin, where their mother found it.
Prosecutors believe the brothers attacked Hernandez-Valdez so they could rob him of cash and marijuana, according to court records.
stacia.glenn@thenewstribune.com
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