Handyman charged with murder in LA bishop’s death

LOS ANGELES — A 61-year-old man whose wife worked as Los Angeles Bishop David O'Connell's housekeeper was charged Wednesday with one count of murder in the shooting death of the much lauded religious leader, who was known for his humor and work helping immigrant children.

Carlos Medina, a handyman who also worked at times for the bishop, also faces a special circumstance enhancement of using a firearm during the crime, L.A. County District Attorney George Gascón announced during a news conference Wednesday. If convicted, he could face 35 years to life in prison.

Medina is accused of killing the 69year-old priest Saturday in his Hacienda Heights home, where he lived alone. Medina's wife worked as a housekeeper for the bishop.

O'Connell was found dead Saturday in his bedroom with “at least one gunshot wound to the upper body,” L.A. County Sheriff Robert Luna said.

Neighbors said they had heard no gunshots or unusual noise coming from the home until deputies and paramedics descended on the quiet neighborhood just before 1 p.m. Saturday.

Medina was taken into custody at his Torrance home Monday, after he barricaded himself for some time. Inside, investigators recovered two firearms.

Investigators were led there two days after the killing after a tipster told officials Medina had been acting strangely after the killing, Luna said Monday after announcing the arrest.

Surveillance video also showed a “dark, compact SUV” — believed to belong to Medina — at O'Connell's home at about the same time the killing took place, authorities said.

Officials have yet to disclose what may have motivated the killing. After announcing Medina's arrest, Luna said the tipster who pointed law enforcement to the suspect said Medina had claimed that the bishop owed him money related to his work as a handyman.

Medina is expected to be assigned a public defender Wednesday.

Law enforcement sources familiar with the investigation said Medina was convicted several years ago of possessing methamphetamine and driving under the influence.

Law enforcement officials said they also believe Medina had recently started using drugs again and had been acting increasingly erratic in the time before the fatal shooting.

But in the unincorporated Torrance neighborhood where Medina and his wife rented a two-bedroom yellow stucco home, neighbors said the couple led quiet, ordinary lives and were friendly with their neighbors.

“He never said anything offensive,” said Francisco Medina Lopez, 74, a neighbor who said he was friendly with Medina. “It's so strange.”