Blackhawk Pleads Not Guilty To Murder In Wife's Death

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA – A man accused of killing his wife in the wealthy East Bay community of Blackhawk entered a not guilty plea today after being charged with murder with use of a deadly weapon and elder abuse enhancements, according to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office.

John Tercheria, 69, was arrested Aug. 8, the day after his wife, 69-year-old Linda Marie Tercheria, was found dead from blunt force head trauma at 4:10 p.m. in their 4,000-square-foot home in the 4300 block of
Quail Run Lane, according to the Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office.

He was booked into jail but posted $1 million bail later that day.

After further investigation, sheriff's deputies served a new arrest warrant to Tercheria at a home in Dublin on Aug. 9.

A third charge of torture was also initially filed, but Deputy District Attorney Chris Walpole said the charge was dropped after reviewing the autopsy report and crime scene photos.

Walpole said Tercheria will return to court on Oct. 18, when a preliminary hearing date will be set.

• Also see: Police Arrest East Bay Woman On Attempted Murder Charges After Suspected Arson

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