An ex-con accused of involvement in a daytime home-invasion robbery in San Carlos in which a resident was fatally shot must stand trial on murder and other charges that could lead to the death penalty, a judge ruled Thursday.
Elliott Scott Grizzle, 45, is accused of being one of several armed intruders who broke into a home on Tommy Drive on May 11, tied up two men and shot and killed 33-year-old Brent Alan Adler after he arrived at the residence.
A roommate testified that the robbers questioned Adler about marijuana and money when he came home.
Another roommate — who was tied up and placed face down on the floor — told police he heard Adler struggling with the intruders near the front door and then heard gunshots.
Adler was found in the driveway. He was shot three times.
The roommates who were tied up said there were at least three and probably four or five robbers in the home, San Diego police Detective Tim Norris testified. He said Adler and another roommate were under investigation for drug dealing.
Authorities allege Grizzle’s DNA was found on a beer bottle in the home, a drug pipe, a lighter and a glove found in the street outside the residence.
Judge Frederic Link found that enough evidence was presented at Grizzle’s preliminary hearing for him to proceed to trial on charges of murder, robbery, burglary and being a felon in possession of a firearm, with special circumstance allegations of murder during a robbery and murder during a burglary.
District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis has yet to decide whether Grizzle will face the death penalty or life in prison without parole if he’s convicted.
A Superior Court arraignment is scheduled Sept. 1.
–City News Service
