Court dates shuffled again for Vaca man accused of 2019 murder

A Solano County Superior Court judge last week postponed further proceedings for a Vacaville man charged in the April 2019 death of a 50-year-old woman in what Vacaville police investigators say is a case of domestic violence.

Judge E. Bradley Nelson on Friday ordered Marcus James Smith, 43, to return on May 13 to his courtroom for a readiness conference and to set a preliminary hearing.

Court records indicate Smith is represented by Vallejo attorney Amy Morton,

the people by Deputy District Attorney Julie Underwood.

The DA’s Office filed a formal complaint on April 16 last year.

Smith is alleged to have killed Ronelyn Egipto, 50, during the early morning hours of April 13 in Vacaville. He and his brother, Kevin Michael Smith, 26 at the time, were arrested the same day, the elder Smith for murder, his younger brother on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact. Both were later booked into Solano County Jail.

Shortly afterward, Kevin Smith posted a $25,000 bond and was released from custody. His older brother remains in jail.

Events unfolded around 2:30 a.m. when police responded to reports of a domestic dispute on Peregrine Way.

When officers arrived, Egipto was found dead within the residence, and two men, later identified as the Smith brothers, were taken into custody, officials said.

Investigators believe Egipto and the elder Smith brother had a romantic relationship, Lt. Mark Donaldson told The Reporter after the Smiths were arrested.

Details leading up to the violence are unclear, but the violence occurred at Smith’s home, he said.

Donaldson reported some details, saying Egipto died “as a result of blunt force trauma throughout her body.”

Explaining Kevin Smith’s charge, Donaldson said the man received a call from his brother and arrived at the home. Investigators do not believe he was involved in the murder but helped his older brother by “cleaning up” evidence, Donaldson added.

If found guilty of firstdegree murder, the elder Smith faces 25 years to life in state prison.