| For Immediate Release Case # 08CF2697
|
Susan Kang Schroeder Public Affairs Counsel Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718 Farrah Emami |
MAN CHARGED WITH STABBING AND
MURDERING STEPMOTHER AFTER
FORCING HIS WAY INTO HER TUSTIN HOME
SANTA ANA – A man was charged today with stabbing and murdering his step-mother after forcing his way into her Tustin apartment. Craig Christopher Rolle, 21, is charged with one felony count of murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a deadly weapon. He faces a maximum sentence of 26 years to life in prison if convicted and is being held on $1 million bail. An arraignment date is to be determined, as Rolle is in the hospital being treated for physical injuries he sustained during the murder.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. on Sep. 15, 2008, Rolle is accused of going to the Tustin apartment of his father and stepmother, 24-year-old Tabea Kenney. Kenney had a restraining order against the defendant and Rolle’s father was not at home at the time. He is accused of breaking a window of the first-floor apartment in an effort to get into the home. When Kenney opened the front door, Rolle is accused of forcing the door open as she tried to shut him out. The defendant was able to overpower the victim and push his way into the apartment. Once inside, he is accused of taking out a folding knife with a four inch blade and stabbing the victim dozens of times as she pleaded “please don’t kill me.” After murdering Kenney, Rolle is accused of fleeing out the back door, covered in blood.
A neighbor, who witnessed Rolle forcefully entering the apartment, called 9-1-1. The Tustin Police Department arrived and located the defendant nearby within 15 minutes of the murder. He was transported to the hospital to be treated for injures. Kenney was pronounced dead at the scene.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Scott Simmons of the Homicide Unit is prosecuting this case.
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