Couple Arraigned in Slaying of Composer
A man and his wife were charged Monday with the fatal stabbing of a television music composer who had invited the couple as guests into his Hollywood Hills home. Juanito Purugganan, 29, and his wife, Michelle, 20, were charged with one count of murder with special circumstance allegations that could qualify them for the death sentence if they are convicted. Los Angeles police said Doug Timm, 29, was murdered either July 21 or 22 and his house burglarized.
His body was found at the bottom of a stairwell by a security guard who had been alerted when Timm’s landlady grew concerned. Purugganan and his wife were arrested in Riverside while driving Timm’s car, according to Deputy Dist. Atty. Bob Savitt.
The couple also allegedly stole stereo equipment and other items from Timm’s home. Timm was a rising composer who had won awards for the themes of such television series as “Simon and Simon,” “Dolphin Cove” and “The New Dirty Dozen.”
Savitt said the Purugganans are also suspected in a second, unrelated murder.
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