It has nothing to do with what the older boy did. It's called the felony murder rule. because they were in the commission of a felony anything that happens arising from the commission of said felony is chargeable to them. If not for the felony the homeowner wouldn't have been forced to defend himself, which resulted in the death of one of the boys. BTW , I find it irritating the way the journalist phrased the article to make it sound like the other boy was being unreasonably charged in the first boys death.
CC
Oh, sure, I’m familiar with the felony murder rule. I didn’t mention it because I just took it for granted. What I was saying is that in this case it’s not only what the law says, but that it is especially fair and applicable, because he had an extra share of responsibility for drawing the kid who died into it.