One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Death Penalty Possible for Canoga Park Man Accused in Violent Double Murder of Elderly Relatives
Photo by justinbaeder via Flickr
The Canoga Park man charged with murdering his elderly relatives could face the death penalty, according to the District Attorney, although ultimately that decision will come when the case gets closer to trial.63-year-old Arthur Reyes Morales has been charged with two counts of murder with a special circumstance allegation of multiple murders in the bludgeoning deaths of his mother, 87-year-old Rita Morales, and his uncle, 85-year-old Manuel Reyes. Morales was responsible for caring for his mother and his uncle, the latter of which was a double amputee.
He surrendered to the authorities who responded to the call to the scene the morning of April 30th. Investigators found the elderly pair dead inside the home, having suffered what appeared to be blunt force trauma. The DA's office has alleged Morales used a hammer in the commission of the crimes.
Morales is due to be arraigned this afternoon in Van Nuys, where he is being held without bail.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
