National City
A transient charged with murdering a National City woman is also a suspect in a second killing, a prosecutor said Friday.
Thomas Jon Kemp, 25, pleaded not guilty Friday in the fatal stabbing of Geralie (Jane) Bertrand, 34, who was slain Monday as her 11-year-old daughter looked on.
At Kemp’s hearing, Deputy District Atty. Robert Madruga said Kemp is also the prime suspect in the Nov. 17 slaying of Chester Earl Grandison of Hillcrest. Madruga said a second murder charge will probably be sought against Kemp next week.
Madruga told San Diego Municipal Judge Robert McDonald that, if Kemp is charged with the second murder, the district attorney’s office may seek the death penalty.
Madruga asked that no bail be set, but McDonald set Kemp’s bail at $800,000.
Kemp waived his right to have a bail review hearing next week; a preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 13.
Kemp was released from County Jail recently, said Madruga, and Bertrand took him into her home. He had a previous conviction for auto theft and drunk driving.
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