VENTURA : Self-Defense Theory Cited in Fatal Stabbing

An Ojai man accused in a fatal stabbing last week may have acted in self-defense, his attorney said Thursday.

Ryan Dale Burchell, charged with the murder of 19-year-old Jasper Fitzgerald, may have been involved in a fight with the victim moments before the stabbing, Deputy Public Defender Todd W. Howeth said.

“There are some legitimate issues about self-defense,” Howeth said. “It may be that Ryan was attacked.”

Burchell, who appeared only briefly in a crowded courtroom in Ventura on Thursday, is accused of stabbing Fitzgerald in the chest with an ice pick after a party last Friday night. The victim was an Ohio resident who was visiting relatives in Ojai.

Burchell, 19, will be arraigned June 8 in Ventura County Municipal Court on a murder charge. He also faces special allegations that he used a deadly weapon and caused great bodily injury.

Judge Bruce A. Clark granted a motion by Howeth to prevent investigators from further questioning Burchell. “He’s already given a statement to the police,” Howeth said.

Another defendant, Anthony Peterson, 18, also of Ojai, pleaded not guilty Thursday to a charge of accessory to murder and faces a June 2 preliminary hearing.

Deputy Dist. Atty. Michael K. Frawley said Peterson was at the scene of the attack, but declined to elaborate on evidence against Peterson.

Burchell and Peterson remain in Ventura County Jail in lieu of $250,000 bail each.