Waldon Pleads Innocent to Three Murders in S.D.

Billy Ray Waldon pleaded innocent Friday to charges of killing three people during a December crime spree in San Diego and was ordered held on $2 million bail.

Waldon, 34, was charged with 16 felonies in all, including three counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, one of rape and seven counts of robbery. He had been placed on the FBI’s most-wanted list a month ago and is also wanted by police in Tulsa, Okla., in connection with a murder there.

In San Diego, Waldon is charged with killing Dawn Ellerman, 43, and her daughter Erin, 13, on Dec. 7 and then setting their Mango Drive home on fire to conceal the crime.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Chuck Patrick said he would file allegations of special circumstances in Waldon’s case, a move that could lead either to the death penalty or life imprisonment without possibility of parole.

Patrick said it was “extremely likely” that he would seek Waldon’s execution.

Friday’s arraignment was the second time in two days that Waldon had appeared before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Lisa Guy-Schall. He was arraigned Wednesday under the alias of Stefan Midas on five counts stemming from his arrest Monday for a traffic violation.

At that time, Waldon had given an elaborate account of his activities and contacts in San Diego, and his story was confirmed by another person in the area, Guy-Schall said.

Waldon was picked up by police early Monday in Pacific Beach for driving a car with a defective taillight. After he fled from the officers and was captured several blocks away, police found two knives, a loaded firearm and stolen goods near him and in the car. Police later learned that the car had been stolen.

Although Waldon was jailed Monday, it was not until Thursday morning that a detective who had been assigned to the case identified him from a poster that had been distributed nationwide after Waldon was placed on the FBI’s most-wanted list. Had he been able to make the $7,250 bail set Wednesday, Waldon might have been released before the identification was made, police said.

The Times incorrectly reported Friday that Waldon was also charged with killing John Copeland, 36, and wounding another man on Dec. 20. Actually, Copeland was wounded and survived the shooting. Charles Gordon Wells, 59, was fatally shot, and Waldon has been charged with the killing. Waldon’s next hearing was set for Thursday morning, when an attorney is scheduled to be appointed for him. Waldon’s present attorney, Elliot Lande, is affiliated with the county Office of Defender Services, which is being phased out by the county Board of Supervisors.

Patrick declined to speculate on when a trial date might be set. After being tried here, Waldon could be tried in Oklahoma as well, he said.