A man pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges this week in connection with the fatal shooting of a Caltech astrophysicist on the front porch of the victim’s Llano home in February.
Freddy Snyder, 30, of Llano appeared in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Tuesday, May 26, where he denied charges of murder, carjacking and burglary, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. He also denied a special, sentence-enhancing allegation of using a rifle in the crimes.
He stands accused of the killing of 67-year-old Carl Grillmair, as well as the armed carjacking of his own mother in the hours leading up to the shooting, prosecutors said in in a written statement.
Snyder pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The sudden and violent killing of Grillmair sent shockwaves through the High Desert and academic communities, according to District Attorney Nathan Hochman.
“Carl Grillmair was a dedicated Caltech scientist who was ruthlessly shot and killed outside his own home,” he said. “This senseless act of violence has devastated his family and cut short a life devoted to advancing science and improving the world around him. We will ensure justice is served for this victim and his loved ones.”
If convicted as charges, Snyder faces the possiblity of life behind bars.
Shooting preceded by carjacking
In the hours leading up to the fatal shooting, Snyder is accused of carjacking his mother at their Llano home, district attorney’s officials said.
He armed himself with two rifles and demanded his mother hand over her car keys, according to the statement. “When she refused, he allegedly fired a shot into the ceiling before taking the keys and driving off in her vehicle.”
Snyder showed up about 6 a.m. at Grillmair’s property in the 30700 block of 165th Street, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officials said.
Grillmair went outside after hearing a vehicle pull into his driveway, prosecutors said.
“While on his front porch, Grillmair, an astronomer at Caltech’s [Infrared Processing and Analysis Center] science and data center, was shot once in the neck and died,” the DA’s office statement said.
Snyder was identified as a “suspect “person of interest” in the killing and taken into custody about five hours later, according to sheriff’s officials and booking records. He was later formally charged in connection with the killing and carjacking.
A possible motive for the shooting was not disclosed.
The burglary charge stemmed from an incident in December, court records show.
In that case, Snyder was arrested after allegedly trespassing at Grillmair’s home while carrying a rifle, according to ABC7.
A preliminary hearing in the case was scheduled for June 5 in the Antelope Valley branch of Los Angeles County Superior Court.
In the meantime, bail for Snyder was set at $3.175 million.
Anyone with information was asked to contact the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at (323) 890-5500. Tips may also be provided anonymously to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Man pleads not guilty in fatal shooting of Caltech scientist in Llano
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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