MOORPARK : Man Charged in Murder of His Roommate
A 23-year-old Moorpark man was charged Monday with murdering his roommate, and a defense attorney asked a judge to appoint a psychologist to evaluate the visibly distraught inmate in Ventura County Jail.
Deputies brought Michael Baity into Municipal Court in a wheelchair for his scheduled arraignment, which was continued until June 7 at the request of the defense.
A naked and badly scratched Baity was arrested Thursday shortly after 12:30 p.m. wandering around an unincorporated area near Piru. He had been the subject of a two-day search since his roommate, 54-year-old Fernando Fierro, was found fatally stabbed in a Moorpark home where they lived.
Municipal Judge John E. Dobroth, who set bail at $250,000, ordered a Ventura psychologist to evaluate Baity’s mental condition at the jail.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Roger Inman said prosecutors filed one count of murder against Baity, as well as allegations that he used a knife to kill the victim. Inman said he is unsure of the motive for the crime.
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