Accused Axe Murderer Charged In Death Of Elderly Santa Monica Man

SANTA MONICA, CA – A Los Angeles man has been charged with killing an 88-year-old man with a pick ax at his Santa Monica apartment and then stabbing murder of a transient days later, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced Tuesday.

Roy Antonio Davis, 26, faces two counts of murder and one count of first-degree burglary, person present, according to Deputy District Attorney Michelle Humphrey. Davis pleaded not guilty to the charges yesterday and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing setting on March 19, the press release said.

The victim, John Hautz, was found deceased inside his apartment in the 2300 block of 34th Street in Santa Monica on Jan. 1, the prosecutor said. Hautz suffered multiple stab wounds to the body. The second alleged victim, Kenneth Schmitt, 28, was found stabbed to death outside of a nightclub in the 5900 block of Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood on Jan. 13, the prosecutor said.

Davis faces the death penalty or life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged. A decision on whether to seek capital punishment will be made at a later date, the press release said. The case remains under investigation by the Santa Monica Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department, West Homicide Bureau.

Photo courtesy of Santa Monica Police Department