SAN DIEGO — A tip together with the perseverance of the mom of a lady killed in San Diego in 2016 led to the arrest of her boyfriend, a U.S. Marine veteran who fled to El Salvador and was educating English there, prosecutors stated Friday on the arraignment of Raymond McLeod.
McLeod 37, who was on the U.S. Marshals’ 15 Most Wished listing, pleaded not responsible to a homicide cost in San Diego Superior Courtroom. He’s accused of strangling his girlfriend, Krystal Mitchell, 30, a mom of two.
His lawyer may remark not be reached for remark.
McLeod was captured final month within the Central American nation after the U.S. Marshals Service obtained a tip that he was educating English at in school within the metropolis of Sonsonate.
“If nothing else, this case represents what it means when the general public responds they usually inform regulation enforcement what they’ve seen so as to convey justice to grieving households,” stated San Diego County District Legal professional Summer time Stephan at a information convention held after the Friday morning arraignment.
The particular person will obtain some or all of a $50,000 reward the service had supplied for data resulting in McLeod’s arrest.
McLeod was taken into custody Monday afternoon by native regulation enforcement and confirmed his identification to accompanying U.S. authorities.
Each McLeod and Mitchell lived in Phoenix however on the time have been visiting a buddy in San Diego.
On June 10, 2016, the buddy discovered Mitchell not respiration and paramedics pronounced her lifeless. Murder detectives discovered indicators of a battle.
If convicted, he faces a doable sentence of 25 years to life in jail, in line with court docket information.
U.S. Marshals realized from authorities in El Salvador that McLeod seemingly entered the nation illegally. He didn’t have any identification on him when he was captured.
Josephine Funes Wentzel, Mitchell’s mom and a retired police detective, diligently pursued details about McLeod’s whereabouts, in line with The San Diego Union-Tribune.
“She was a driving power on this arrest,” Deputy Marshal Joseph O’Callaghan stated.
In keeping with court docket paperwork, the evening earlier than Mitchell’s dying, the couple went to a bar the place an individual noticed McLeod slap Mitchell within the face. When the particular person tried to intervene, they obtained right into a struggle with McLeod and the couple was kicked out of the bar, the newspaper reported.
Surveillance video confirmed McLeod grabbing Mitchell by her neck and shoving her into an elevator after they returned late to the residence, the newspaper reported. The following day after McLeod had left the residence, their buddy discovered Mitchell’s physique within the visitor room.
Investigators stated he had rented a automotive, purchased Mexican insurance coverage for it, and fled the nation alone, in line with court docket paperwork.
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