Two teens charged with murder in coach's slaying

By The Associated Press

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Robert A. Suarez, 16, and Jordan E. Castillo, 14, were accused of killing King Robert "Bob" Mars, whose body was found Sunday morning inside Kiona-Benton Middle School in nearby Benton City.

Authorities believe Mars, a sixth grade teacher and assistant football coach at Kiona-Benton High School, was stabbed to death late Saturday night or early Sunday morning in the course of a robbery. A coroner concluded Mars died from a single stab wound to the abdomen.

Mars' truck was found in the school parking lot on Sunday. A vehicle window had been broken and the truck appeared to have been ransacked, according to court papers. Missing were an envelope containing about $300 in cash and the coach's cell phone.

Suarez and Castillo were arrested Tuesday evening. They admitted to participating in the killing when interviewed by detectives, according to probable cause affidavits.

Castillo was charged with aggravated first-degree murder and attempted first-degree theft. The theft charge stemmed from an incident earlier Saturday evening near the middle school, when Castillo allegedly confronted another boy and demanded money.

He was being held at the Benton County Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities planned to try to have his case remanded to adult court.

Suarez was charged with first-degree murder and second-degree theft. He was accused of taking items from Mars' truck.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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