Suspect in death of Los Angeles bishop charged with murder

The person accused of murdering Los Angeles Auxiliary Bishop David O’Connell has been charged with homicide, Los Angeles County District Legal professional George Gascón introduced Wednesday. 

The suspect, 65-year-old Carlos Medina, is the husband of O’Connell’s housekeeper and had accomplished some work across the bishop’s house, Gascón mentioned. He faces one rely of homicide.

Gascón mentioned that the case “warranted the submitting of a particular allegation that (Medina) used a firearm through the fee” of the homicide.

Police haven’t introduced a attainable motive for the bishop’s killing. Lieutenant Mike Modica of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Division mentioned Wednesday that in an interview, Medina gave “a number of totally different causes” for why he had killed the bishop, however “none of them made any sense to investigators.” 

Based on CBS Sacramento, a tipster alleged that Medina had been appearing unusual and made feedback about O’Connell owing him cash, however Modica mentioned investigators had discounted that chance. 

Based on CBS Los Angeles, O’Connell, 69, was shot at his house round 1 p.m. native time on Saturday, Feb. 18. He was pronounced lifeless on the scene. Gascón mentioned there was no signal of compelled entry.

CBS Sacramento reported that detectives reviewed surveillance video that confirmed an SUV just like one Medina is understood to drive had been on the bishop’s house. Police additionally discovered two firearms and “different proof presumably linking Medina to the crime,” in line with CBS Sacramento. 

Medina was arrested after an hours-long standoff with deputies, in line with CBS Sacramento. Medina’s spouse is absolutely cooperating with the investigation, CBS Sacramento reported.

O’Connell, who was born in Eire, served the Los Angeles group for almost “half a century,” Gascón mentioned, working with a number of congregations, immigrants, communities impacted by gang violence, and extra since he was ordained within the district in 1979. 

“This was a brutal act of violence towards an individual who has devoted a life to creating our neighborhood safer, more healthy and all the time serving with love and compassion,” Gascón mentioned. “That is an unbelievable loss, not just for the church however for our totally group … Charging Mr. Medina won’t ever restore the large hurt that was attributable to this callous act however it does take one step nearer to accountability. We’ll proceed to increase our sympathy to the household of Bishop O’Connell and to your complete group.”