San Diego : Events at Teen’s Slaying Disputed

During the arraignment Tuesday for a Mira Mesa man charged with murder, attorneys clashed about what happened the morning a 17-year-old boy was killed.

Charles F. Baker, 39, pleaded not guilty to killing Robert Kennedy Toman on Saturday in front of two horrified friends.

“It was an attack on a defenseless 17-year-old boy who was minding his own business,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Rupert Linley said. “He was assaulted and shot in the head.”

The shooting took place near Baker’s house in the 7600 block of Parma Way. Baker was arrested at the scene without incident, and his .45-caliber automatic pistol was seized by police.

Defense attorney Barton C. Sheela said the mechanic was trying to make a citizen’s arrest on three rock-throwing youths when the accident occurred.

Baker heard noises outside his house and saw rocks being thrown at houses from a slow-moving van, Sheela said. Baker armed himself and went outside to detain the culprits, according to the attorney.

When Baker reached the van, he demanded that the occupants come out. Toman was shot after he started an altercation with Baker, Sheela said.

“This is the kind of thing that can happen to anyone with a gun at 2:30 in the morning,” Sheela said.

Municipal Judge Robert P. McDonald set bail at $250,000, but scheduled a hearing Friday to discuss that figure.