San Diego

The death penalty will be sought against Brad Parlin if he is convicted of murdering his mother and stepfather, the San Diego County district attorney’s office said Tuesday.

Parlin, 28, of Rancho Bernardo pleaded innocent before San Diego Superior Court Judge Fred Link, who scheduled a June 15 trial.

Parlin is accused of killing his mother, Jean Eckroad, 65, who was found dead Sept. 19 in the couple’s home on Abra Way. His stepfather, Wallace Eckroad, 76, was also severely injured in the hammer attack and died Oct. 31 as a result of his injuries.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Jim Waters filed special-circumstances allegations against Parlin, contending he killed multiple victims. He told the judge he will be specifically seeking the death penalty, as opposed to life in prison without parole.

Parlin’s attorney, Bill Youmans, said he was surprised and disappointed the case is now a capital case. Youmans has said Parlin was a heroin addict and that “heroin was wielding that hammer.”

The filing of the special circumstances will also mean that Parlin will be eligible to have a second lawyer on the case.

Following the homicides, Parlin allegedly committed four bank robberies and used his stepfather’s credit card fraudulently. He will also be tried on those charges.