SEATTLE — Two of three teenage brothers who were charged last week with felony murder for allegedly shooting five people, two fatally, in a homeless encampment known as The Jungle pleaded not guilty Thursday.
James Taafulisia, 17, and Jerome Taafulisia, 16, each pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree felony murder and three counts of first-degree assault during their arraignment at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent.
Because of the seriousness of the crimes, both boys have been charged as adults.
Attorneys for both waived bail discussion and the next court hearing was set for Feb. 29.
A handful of the teens’ relatives and supporters were in the courtroom, but did not speak to reporters after the hearing.
Their 13-year-old brother, who is charged with the same crimes for the shootings, is being charged as a juvenile.
All three are also charged with using a firearm in the commission of the crimes, which carries additional mandatory prison time.
If convicted as charged, the two older teens face between 90 and 113 years in prison.
The 13-year-old, who pleaded not guilty at his arraignment last week, could face incarceration up to his 21st birthday if convicted as charged in juvenile court.
Prosecutors allege in charging documents that three teens, who were themselves homeless and familiar with The Jungle, had gone up into the encampment on Jan. 26 to rob one of the victims. There, prosecutors allege, they shot five people, two of whom died.
Police and prosecutors said the motive for the shooting was robbery and that the teens took money and drugs from their primary target.
Because of a 2014 change in state law, juveniles who are charged as adults are eligible to have their sentences reviewed by the Indeterminate Sentence Review Board after serving 20 years in prison.
