Man Pleads Not Guilty in Beating Death of His Roommate at Clairemont Mesa Home

A San Diego man pleaded not guilty to first degree murder in connection with the beating death of his roommate. 

David Charles Ashton, 62, stood expressionless as he appeared in court for the first time Wednesday, accused of beating his 48-year-old roommate to death at their Clairemont Mesa home. 

Ashton was arrested at his home on Mt. Everest Drive late Sunday. Earlier in the day, officers were called to an apartment at Missouri Street and Mission Boulevard in Pacific Beach, where they found a woman who was not breathing, but appeared to be suffering from no external injuries. 

San Diego Deputy District Attorney Nicole Rooney said Moore went to the home in Pacific Beach after sustaining injuries to her head and left arm, allegedly committed by Ashton. 

Moore and Ashton lived together for some time. Ashton worked for BAE Systems as an engineer for 38 years. 

When Moore reached her boyfriend's home, she told him she had been beaten by her roommate, prosecutors allege. She was found unconscious at her boyfriend's home by police. At a nearby hospital, however, medical staff told police the victim suffered severe trauma to the head and left arm. She later died. 

A judge set bail at $1 million dollars. Ashton faces 25 years to life if convicted. 

Investigators say anyone with information on this crime can call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

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