Roommate Freed in Man’s Slaying
An Antelope Valley man who initially was arrested on suspicion of murder in the death of his roommate was released from jail Sunday after detectives determined that he may have acted in self-defense, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department reported.
Ralph Greathouse, 63, fatally shot his 47-year-old roommate with a .22-caliber rifle during a dispute Saturday night in their desert house about 10 miles east of Llano near 233rd Street and California 18, Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Kathryn Nielsen said. The victim’s identity was being withheld until relatives could be notified.
Detectives, who initially arrested Greathouse on suspicion of murder, released him after determining early Sunday that he may have been trying to protect himself and his property when the shooting occurred, Nielsen.
The shooting, Nielsen added, may have been accidental, but she would not elaborate. The case will be presented to prosecutors early this week for a final determination, she said.
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