Former "Power Rangers" star Ricardo Medina has been charged with murder for stabbing his roommate with a sword last year. If convicted, Medina could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
ABC News reports that the 36-year-old Medina, who played the Red Lion Wild Force Ranger on "Power Rangers Wild Force" in 2002, was arrested for allegedly stabbing his roommate to death using a samurai sword. The attack happened last January 31, 2015 at their house in Green Valley, a mountain town north of Los Angeles. The roommate, Joshua Sutter, was found with several puncture wounds in the abdomen.
Richard Medina has been charged of murder with bail set at US$ 1 million. If convicted, he could be sentenced to life imprisonment.
Channel News Asia was able to talk to Los Angeles Country Sheriff's Deparment and according to their reports Medina felt his roommate disrespected his girlfriend over how she parked her car. It further said that while Medina and his girlfriend was in the bedroom, Sutter followed them and forced the door open. It was at this point that Medina grabbed the sword in the room and stabbed his roommate in the stomach.
Right after the fatal stabbing Medina personally called 911 and remained until authorities arrived on the scene.
The former Power Ranger was arrested as soon as the sheriff's deputies arrived but the district attorney's office did not file any charges, the Los Angeles Times confirmed.
The LA County Sheriff's Department was ordered to keep the investigation on Joshua Sutter's killing active during the course of the year. This was confirmed by Jane Robison, spokeswoman for the district attorney's office.
Nearly a year after the incident, Medina was arrested last Thursday morning while he was at his residence. The sheriff's department and the district attorney's office did not issue a statement regarding Medina's recent arrest.
Allan Bell, a lawyer representing Medina, insists on his client's innocence and questions the long gap between the fatal confrontation and the arrest.
"Waiting a year to charge someone can prejudice a client; memories become faded, you may not be able to find percipient witnesses, and crime scenes can get corrupted," Bell said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Gab Lester, the actor's longtime agent, expressed support for his client. He described him as a "trusted friend" who never showed signs of a violent streak.
"I've known Rick for years. He really is one of the most peaceful guys. He was thrilled and loved being a Power Ranger. He rescued and trained a wonderful German shepherd, and he was a client and friend," said Lester.
Although he has not spoken to his client since the incident last year, Lester still finds it difficult to believe that this was anything but self-defense.
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