Jim Rudometkin
Suspected Downey home-invasion killers could get death penalty
By Debbie L. Slylar
mynewsLA.com
Two men and a 17-year-old boy were charged Wednesday with murder and other counts for allegedly killing a Downey man during a weekend home-invasion robbery.
Paul Darvis Misikei, 18, Henry Willie Sao, 27, and Sakaopo Atanasio Folau, who is 17 and charged as an adult, are scheduled to be arraigned Feb. 10 on one count each of murder, home-invasion robbery and first-degree burglary with a person present.
The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation that the victim, 59-year-old Jim Rudometkin, was killed during the crime of robbery and residential burglary.
Prosecutors are expected to decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Misikei and Sao. Folau cannot face the death penalty because of his age, and faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.
An autopsy determined that Rudometkin died from blunt trauma — he had been struck multiple times on the head and been “bound by ligature” — with heart disease also a factor, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.
Authorities allege Misikei and Folau forced their way into the home, with Sao entering shortly afterward.
A neighbor called police, who arrived at the home in the 10300 block of Lesterford Avenue about 11:15 a.m. Sunday and were told that men were seen running from the area, according to Downey police Sgt. Terry Goeckner.
A witness had seen two suspects contact the homeowner near the side door and force him back inside, then observed a third person enter the home.
The officers gave chase after arriving and apprehended Sao, a Long Beach resident, and Misikei, an Anaheim resident, but the teenage suspect got away and wasn’t apprehended until Tuesday.
“Further information gathered during this investigation points to the victim being specifically targeted by the suspects,” Downey police Lt. Alex Irizabal said. “We do not believe this was a random crime.”
Neighbors said Rudometkin was a well-liked local Realtor who had lived alone since his father’s death.
http://mynewsla.com/crime/2016/01/20...death-penalty/
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