LV teen pleads guilty in killings

Thursday, April 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Joshua Jenkins showed no emotion Wednesday as he entered guilty pleas to five counts of first-degree murder and a single charge of arson. His murder trial was scheduled to start today.

A hearing will be held to determine whether Jenkins was sane at the time of the murders. If he is found competent, he faces 140 years to life in prison, prosecutors said.

Jenkins, then 15, killed his parents and grandparents in a California condo on Feb. 2, 1996, by hitting them on the head with a hammer and stabbing them. The next morning, he took his 10-year-old sister, Megan, to buy an ax and later killed her with it.

Police said Jenkins set several fires in the condo, which was owned by his grandparents, William and Evelyn Grossman, and fled. He was arrested the next morning in his parents' Mercedes-Benz a few miles from the scene.

Defense attorney Jack Campbell said the change of the plea was in the best interest of Jenkins, but he said it was unusual because neither the court nor the prosecutors made concessions.

"The prosecution won't even talk to us," Campbell said. "They made it clear they want this boy in prison for as long as possible."

Prosecutors said the emotionally troubled teenager was upset after being sent to a Los Angeles home for disturbed youths.

George and Alene Jenkins first realized their adopted son's problems when he was 5 years old. Experts gave different explanations for erratic behavior, including learning disabilities, autism and hyperactivity.

Five years later, his parents expressed concerns over his wild mood swings. He flew into rages, punching walls and overturning furniture.

After his family moved to Las Vegas in 1994, a teacher confiscated a martial arts weapons from Jenkins. He vandalized the teacher's car, according to psychological reports.

Las Vegas school officials eventually classified him as learning disabled rather than emotionally disturbed. By then, however, George Jenkins had grown fearful of his son, whom he sent to the Los Angeles home after the boy attacked him.

On Feb. 2, Jenkins' parents and sister picked him up for a weekend visit to his grandparents. His 74-year-old grandmother had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and the family was gathering for support.