Brutal Peninsula Murder: Duo Pleads Not Guilty to Murdering Man in His Kitchen

REDWOOD CITY, CA — Two Southern California men pleaded not guilty this week in a Redwood City courtroom to killing a 71-year-old Foster City man in 2011, prosecutors said.

David Mitchell, 33, of Fontana in San Bernardino County and Willie Venable, 66, of San Bernardino, the county seat of San Bernardino County, are accused of killing Klaus Gachter on Dec. 16 in his home in the 600 block of Waterbury Lane.

Investigators said that they believe the killing was not a random act, but rather Venable and Mitchell knew Gachter.

Prosecutors said that Gachter was beaten to death in his kitchen while he was preparing dinner.

Prosecutors allege that Venable killed Gachter at the behest of Mitchell for money.

Both suspects were arrested on Nov. 2 this year and could face the death penalty, according to prosecutors.

They remain in custody without bail.

The attorneys for Venable and Mitchell could not immediately be reached for comment.

They will be back in court Jan. 9 at 1:30 p.m. to set a preliminary hearing date.

— By Bay City News Service / Image via Shutterstock