Last week, a 24-year-old man from California was taken into custody following a police pursuit. He was accused of the murder of his mother, whose remains were discovered in the vehicle’s trunk.
The El Cajon Police Department received a report from Richard Leyva’s sibling at a Motel 6. The brother informed the authorities that he had visited Leyva’s mother, Jamison Webster, a 51-year-old woman. However, when she failed to return, he decided to check on her.
Upon arrival, the brother was shocked to find the lifeless body of their mother in the trunk of her black Hyundai Sonata. Subsequently, Leyva engaged in a dispute with his brother, before fleeing the scene in the Hyundai, during which he struck his brother. Fortunately, the brother escaped unharmed and promptly contacted the police, who were able to swiftly locate the Hyundai.
Leyva fled from the officers when they attempted a traffic stop, however, and spend away, striking two other vehicles in the process, which ultimately ended the pursuit. Officers still had to deploy a Taser to subdue Leyva.
Officers found Webster’s body in the trunk and booked Leyva into jail on charges of homicide, assault with a deadly weapon, and evading law enforcement.
Leyva pleaded not guilty at a court appearance on Friday, KFMB reported. A prosecutor said that the investigation into Webster’s cause of death is ongoing, but that there is “evidence of strangulation.”
He was ordered held without bail.
