A Lancaster man is being charged in the killing of a patient admitted at the Antelope Valley Hospital last week, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office announced today.
Jesse Martinez, 37, has been charged with one count each of murder and elder abuse resulting in death. He also faces a hate crime allegation.
His arraignment is scheduled Thursday.
On December 17, Martinez was taken to a hospital where he was placed in a room in the Covid-19 ward with 82-year-old David Hernandez-Garcia. Martinez is accused of striking the victim in the head several times with an oxygen tank.
If convicted as charged, the defendant faces a possible maximum sentence of 28 years to life in state prison.
The case remains under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.