Teen boy in court for death

WILKES-BARRE â?? A teen boy facing an undisclosed charge in juvenile court in connection with the April shooting death of his friend, 14-year-old Tyler Winstead, appeared Monday in Luzerne County Court.

Elijah Yusiff, 14, appeared before Judge Tina Polachek Gartley for a disposition hearing, which is similar to a sentencing in adult court.

Prosecutors have remained tight-lipped about the proceedings involving Yusiff in accordance with state law.

All hearings regarding Yusiff are closed to the public because he is not facing felony charges.

To reach a disposition hearing, a juvenile must first appear at an adjudication hearing, where he or she may be declared a delinquent.

Yusiff could receive a disposition of anything from home placement with rehabilitation initiatives in place to placement in a juvenile facility until the age of 21.

The outcome of Yusiffâ??s hearing Monday was unknown because the hearing was closed to the public.

Winstead, of 121 Hill St., Wilkes-Barre, was found shot April 5 in front of 117 Hill St., where Yusiff lived.

Court papers allege Angelina DeAbreu hid a gun, while her son Yusiff hid shell casings in a pile of scrap mental behind a 119 Hill St. home after Tyler was shot.

Investigators say the youth was shot inside DeAbreuâ??s home when Yusiff took a .22-caliber revolver from a book-shaped case. Winstead was sitting on a bed in DeAbreuâ??s bedroom when Yusiff turned with his finger on the trigger, according to court papers. The gun discharged, and a bullet struck Winstead in the chest, killing him.

DeAbreu is facing charges in county court relating to attempting to cover up the shooting.

As a result of the shooting, an initiative to improve city life, Building Bridges, was started by two Baptist ministers.

The ministers began working with Mayor Tom Leighton and the city to reduce crime and make the city safer for youth.

Building Bridges met last week to update its progress and outline their future plans.