The man charged in the beating death of former Yachats resident Martin Baker is scheduled to go to trial Jan. 23 in California.
Eugene Focarelli, 39, is facing first-degree murder and other charges in connection with an assault in February 2021 of Baker, a formerly homeless man who found shelter and friendship through Yachats Community Presbyterian Church. Baker died a few days after the attack, which occurred in his hometown of Borrego Springs, Calif.
Focarelli has been in jail since shortly after Baker’s death in 2021.
“This will be a jury trial,” said Kim Coulter, the San Diego County deputy district attorney who is in charge of the case. If the court date holds, jury selection would likely begin Jan. 24.
“I feel very strongly about this case,” said Coulter, who moved on to the county’s Juvenile Division since the case began, but has retained oversight of the Focarelli proceedings. “It’s a very noble case to take to trial.”
Because Focarelli already has a California burglary conviction, he could face twice the prison time – 25 years to life — if convicted on any of the several felony charges he’s facing, Coulter said.
Focarelli’s defense attorney could focus on the cause of Baker’s death, Coulter said, and might argue that the former Yachats man had underlying health issues that were responsible for his death. However, the medical examiner involved “gives the opinion that this is homicide,” she said.
— Cheryl Romano, YachatsNews
