Murder Suspect Could Face Death Penalty

A man suspected of stabbing to death an 18-year-old Murrieta woman could face the death penatly, an official announced today.

William Gary Simpson Jr., 19, appeared in a courtroom at the in French Valley for his arraignment today, which was postponed until Jan. 13.

He was charged with the murder of Saskia Burke and attacking her family in their Murrieta home. To read about it,

Along with the murder count, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office has filed a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a burglary, DA Spokesperson John Hall said.

"That special circumstance allegation makes Simpson eligible for the death penalty," Hall said.

A decision whether to seek death will be made by District Attorney Paul Zellerbach at a later date, Hall said.

The suspect kicked off a nationwide manhunt when he allegedly fled from the crime scene, eluding authorities for several days. To read about the hunt,

If death is not sought, Simpson would face a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Simpson sat alone on a wooden bench wearing an orange prison uniform, shackled at the wrists and ankles, while Saskia Burke's parents and friends sat in the audience. Simpson's family sat on the other side of the courtroom.

He allegedly broke in and stabbed Saskia to death and seriously injured her father, Paul, and boyfriend, Connor McCormack.

According to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, Simpson had lived with the Burkes on and off in 2010.

The alleged attacker was tracked down and arrested at his mother's home in Hesperia after a four-day law enforcement search.

Attorney David Macher spoke on behalf of the Public Defender's office, and asked Judge Angel M. Bermudez to postpone the arraignment until an attorney could be permanently assigned to defend Simpson.

Macher also asked that his office be contacted before the court allowed media to photograph Simpson at his next hearing. He complained that 100 photos had already been snapped of Simpson before he had a chance to approach the bench.

Saskia's mother, Catherine, appeared alongside her husband, who has been released from the hospital after suffering stab wounds in the attack. The couple declined to speak with media.

Simpson is being held without the possiblity of bail.