Bail Denied in Chula Vista Slaying and Hostage-Taking Case

Bail was denied Tuesday for a man accused of murder and of holding hostages at gunpoint at a Chula Vista medical clinic last week.

Robert Wayne Jacobsen, 35, of Chula Vista, pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts against him, which includes the Feb. 18 slaying of 74-year-old William Warden in his Chula Vista home during a burglary.

Appearing in blue jail clothing and staring into the courtroom audience as if he were looking for someone, Jacobsen said nothing during his appearance before San Diego Municipal Court Judge Jay Bloom.

His attorney, Victor Eriksen, waived any argument for bail, which satisfied Deputy Dist. Atty. Gordon Davis, who told Bloom “no bail is acceptable.”

Jacobsen is charged with holding four hostages against their will, including Amir Kolahzadeh, 19, who was held the longest and released after nearly 24 hours.

In explaining why Jacobsen wasn’t charged with holding more hostages, the prosecutor said charges of false imprisonment must be based on intent, and that some of the people in the clinic had little contact with Jacobsen and were merely hiding.

“He was unaware of their physical presence and once he was aware of their presence, they were released,” said Davis.

Ten people were initially trapped in ReadiCare Center medical clinic in Chula Vista.

Jacobsen is also charged with robbing Warden, who had been a friend of Jacobsen’s parents for 30 years, and burglarizing his house before killing the 74-year old man. He also pleaded not guilty to two assault counts involving police officers, a Dec. 22 burglary and weapons violations.

The prosecutor said Warden’s widow, Nola, is in poor health and recently underwent open-heart surgery. However, she may be a witness at the preliminary hearing, scheduled for April 6. Nola Warden called police after hearing her husband shot three times, about 3:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, when he apparently came face to face with a burglar.

According to court records, the couple’s VCR, a telephone, a wedding ring and $500 were taken that night. The VCR and phone were recovered in a nearby vacant lot, wrapped in a sweat shirt.

The prosecutor is considering filing special circumstances allegations against Jacobsen, which would make him eligible for the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole.