A San Gabriel man accused of beating his ex-wife to death in her Chula Vista home earlier this year must stand trial on murder and other charges, a judge ruled Monday.
Rand Eugene Huffman, 64, is charged in the death of 63-year-old Martha Huffman, who was hospitalized Feb. 26 after being beaten in the head with a brick. She died April 13.
The day of the incident, neighbors reported hearing screams and seeing a man dragging a woman behind the victim’s home on Twin Oaks Circle.
Authorities said the Huffmans divorced more than 30 years ago and had a son who lived with the victim.
The son had rekindled a relationship with his father but the two had a recent dispute over a property deal and the son had taken out a restraining order against the older man, police said.
Following a preliminary hearing today at the South Bay Courthouse, Judge Stephanie Sontag found enough evidence was presented for the defendant to stand trial for murder, kidnapping and a misdemeanor charge of violating a restraining order. Huffman faces 25 years to life in prison if convicted.
A Superior Court arraignment was set for Sept. 10.
— City News Service