Transient Accused in Beating Death of Chatsworth Man
A 21-year-old transient was charged Wednesday with the beating death of a Chatsworth man, authorities said.
Thomas Connelly was charged with one count of murder in the slaying of Melchor R. Miranda, 27, Deputy Dist. Atty. Robert S. Nishinaka said. Connelly, who is also charged with one count of grand theft auto, is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the County Jail.
Connelly was arrested Friday night after police spotted him driving the victim’s car in the Hollywood area, Los Angeles Police Detective Dick Ward said.
The suspect had been in California about three months and was looking for work when he met Miranda in a bar in Hollywood, Ward said. A week later Miranda was killed, Ward said.
A friend discovered Miranda’s body on Jan. 10 in his apartment in the 20900 block of Lassen Street in Chatsworth, Ward said. The victim had been beaten with a blunt object, Ward said.
Police have not established a motive for the killing.
Connelly is to appear for a preliminary hearing in San Fernando Superior Court on Jan. 27.
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