Accused North County Killer To Stand Trial For Stabbing Friend To Death

A man accused of fatally stabbing a friend in the victim’s garage in Oceanside while a babysitter watched the victim’s children inside the home was ordered today to stand trial for murder.

David Anthony Strouth, 34, is charged in the April 24, 2015, death of 49-year-old Bradley Garner.

Deputy District Attorney Patrick Espinoza said that shortly after the victim and the defendant entered the home on Santa Rosa Street around 9:30 p.m., the babysitter heard a crashing sound. Strouth re-entered the house and told the babysitter that he had ”slayed the beast,’’ according to the prosecutor.

Espinoza said the babysitter ran to the home of neighbors, who went back to Garner’s residence to subdue Strouth for police and get the victim’s two children to safety.

The prosecutor said Garner was stabbed four times, including a fatal stab wound to the upper chest.
A K-bar knife with the words “Operation Iraqi Freedom’’ was found on the floor of the garage with apparent blood on the handle, Espinoza said.

Strouth had moved into the home just two weeks earlier with Garner, his ex-girlfriend and their two young children, according to police.

After a two-day preliminary hearing, Vista Judge Blaine Bowman found that enough evidence was presented for Strouth to stand trial May 9. The defendant faces 26 years to life in prison if convicted.

• Previous:
• Man Accused Of North County Fatal Stabbing Heads To Court
• Man Fatally Stabbed in Oceanside, Other Hospitalized

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