San Diego, California – A young man accused of playing a role in the killing of a homeless man at Bonita Cove Park in Mission Bay last summer is now facing trial for murder. Daniel Ruben Martin, 19, has been charged in the death of 65-year-old Michael Shook, who was stabbed three times and beaten in the early morning hours of July 5.
Martin, who was 18 at the time of the incident, was arrested along with a 17-year-old boy in connection with the homicide. While Martin is being tried as an adult, the other suspect is undergoing juvenile proceedings.
During a preliminary hearing in San Diego Superior Court, it was revealed that the juvenile is accused of stabbing Shook, while both defendants are accused of attacking the victim. According to San Diego police Detective Chris Bernard’s testimony, Martin admitted to elbowing Shook in the face and kicking him in the ribs.
Martin was quoted by the detective saying, “I didn’t kill him, but by the time I was finished with him, he was done.” Investigators questioned Martin about Shook’s pants, which were found near his body in a balled-up manner with one of his shoes entangled inside. Deputy District Attorney Shane Waller stated that this was consistent with the pants being forcefully removed.
Both defendants provided conflicting accounts of the events to detectives. Martin claimed that his friend and Shook had an argument that turned violent, while the juvenile said that Martin and Shook argued first and that Shook pulled out a knife during the altercation. The boy stated that he grabbed Shook’s knife hand and forced the blade into his body while Martin held Shook’s arm down.
Defense attorney Amy Balfe argued that Martin was being held responsible for actions committed by his friend and highlighted the possibility of provocation from Shook, pointing out that the knife used in the killing belonged to the victim. Balfe also mentioned that a witness reported Shook being beaten and kicked by a group of six people earlier in the night, suggesting that many of the victim’s injuries may have been sustained during that altercation.