Pasadena Contractor Denies Murdering Client, 76

PASADENA, CA — A Pasadena man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to capital murder and other charges stemming from the death of a 76-year-old Arcadia woman whose body was found by a construction crew in her backyard.

Heber Enoc Diaz, 27, was charged April 23 with one count each of murder, elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in death, first-degree residential burglary and second-degree robbery, along with two counts of second- degree burglary.

The murder charge stemming from the April 9 slaying of Chyong Jen Tsai includes the special circumstance allegations of murder during the commission of a robbery and murder during the commission of a burglary.

Prosecutors have not decided if they will seek the death penalty against Diaz, who has been held without bail since he was arrested April 19 by Los Angeles County sheriff's deputies.

The charges against him also include allegations that he used a hammer, jab saw and box cutter in the commission of all but one of the crimes he's accused of committing -- a March 19 burglary at the same property.

Diaz had been employed by a contractor that was doing renovations at the victim's home, but was no longer working there when the victim was slain, according to Deputy District Attorney Miriam Avalos.

Diaz allegedly killed the woman after encountering the woman while burglarizing her garage, the prosecutor said

Tsai died from the "combined effects of multiple sharp force injuries, multiple blunt trauma and asphyxia," according to coroner's records.

Her 2005 Lexus RX 300 was stolen from her home in the 300 block of East Forest Avenue and was subsequently recovered in the 900 block of Colorado Boulevard in Los Angeles.

City News Service