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Reno teen faces murder charge in homeless death

Page Last Updated: Tuesday November 17, 2009 1:40pm PST

James Pineda, 16.

RENO, Nev. (AP) -- A 16-year-old Reno boy has been ordered to stand trial in the beating death of a homeless man after he allegedly stomped on him and robbed him of $6, cigarettes and a
portable radio.

Reno Justice of the Peace Jack Schroeder ruled Monday there is enough evidence for James Pineda to face murder and robbery charges in the July killing of 55-year-old Eric Burkhart of Reno.

Prosecutors maintain the teen attacked Burkhart because the transient owed him money for allegedly urinating on his stereo speakers in the weeks before.

Pineda claims the attack was in self defense. He was 15 when Burkhart died July 22 but is being tried as an adult and is being held in the Washoe County Jail without bail.

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(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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