The brother of a transient accused of killing an Oceanside man in August told NBC 7 he didn’t think his younger sibling was capable of such a crime.
Prosecutors say Carey Lamond Reid, Jr., 21 of North Carolina, burglarized 77-year-old John Roth's home Aug. 14 and stabbed him multiple times in the neck.
"It's heartbreaking," Reid's older brother Travis Michael said. "I would never think my brother is capable of something like this."
Michael was at the arraignment and watched in disbelief as prosecutors detailed the alleged crime.
Roth was found dead by his wife, Zui Pang, when she came home from work.
No murder weapon was found, but prosecutors say investigators found Reid's DNA on a can of ginger ale inside the home.
Reid was discovered just steps from Roth's home on Monday and was taken into custody. Prosecutors allege that Reid confessed to the murder, saying behind tears, "It was me. I'm sorry."
Jewelry, a laptop, Roth's widow's wedding ring, and a number of antique unique Chinese coins were also stolen from the home, police said.
Michael told NBC 7 his brother was a high school drop out who had been living in foster care or by himself for a long time.
Local
"He's 21, if you look at him he's small, he doesn't really have the communication in him, but hopefully we can move past this as a family because it's heartbreaking hearing that my brother might be facing life," Michael said.
Reid pleaded not guilty to murder and burglary charges and was held without bail. If convicted on both charges he could face life in prison.
Pang, after seeing her husband's accused killer for the first time in court, said Reid was a danger to the community and belongs in jail.
