Thread: Suspect in transient's death in San Marcos caught

Suspect in transient's death in San Marcos caught
By Kristina Davis (Contact) Union-Tribune Staff Writer
3:06 p.m. April 9, 2009

CAMPO — A man suspected of killing a fellow transient in a San Marcos shed in February was apprehended by Border Patrol agents Thursday as he was hiking north near the Mexican border, officials said.

Saul Echeverria, 37, was wanted on suspicion of murder in the Feb. 17 death of Ramon Garcia, 50, said sheriff's homicide Lt. Dennis Brugos.
Border Patrol agents encountered Echeverria about 8 a.m. as he was hiking about two miles north of the border near Campo with three other Mexicans.

The agents arrested the group on suspicion of crossing into the country illegally, and discovered the outstanding homicide warrant against Echeverria, a Mexican citizen.

Echeverria, who also goes by the last name Hernandez, had been living in a small shed in the the backyard of a home on Ponte Drive near Descanso Drive at the time of the alleged crime, sheriff's officials said. The victim, who occasionally stayed in the shelter during bad weather, was found dead there about 8:30 a.m. He was last seen alive near the shed with Echeverria the previous evening.

The victim's cause of death has not been released. A Medical Examiner investigator who responded to the scene noted at the time a small but suspicious wound on the body. Kristina Davis: (619) 542-4591; kristina.davis@uniontrib.com

Kristina Davis: (619) 542-4591; (Contact)

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Illegal Immigrant to Stand Trial for San Marcos Stabbing

Last Update: 7/30 5:16 pm


VISTA - A Mexican national accused of stabbing a fellow transient to death in San Marcos in February must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled Thursday.

Saul Hernandez-Echeverria, 37, was arrested April 9 near Campo after allegedly sneaking into the United States with several other illegal immigrants.

After taking four people into custody, federal officers determined that Hernandez-Echeverria was the subject of a murder warrant.

The defendant is accused of killing 50-year-old Ramon Garcia, who was found dead in a backyard shed at a Ponte Avenue home the morning of Feb. 17.

The victim died of a single stab wound to the chest, said Deputy District Attorney Lisa Stark.

At the time of the slaying, Hernandez was staying in the metal outbuilding, which is owned by some of his relatives and where Garcia also sometimes stayed the night, according to sheriff's investigators.

The two transients were seen together the night before Garcia's body was found, authorities said.

Judge Joan Weber ruled there was enough evidence to order Hernandez-Echeverria to stand trial. He will return to court Oct. 13 to get a trial date.

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