Trial ordered for former Marine accused of murdering girlfriend in Allied Gardens

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – A former Marine accused of murdering his girlfriend in an Allied Gardens apartment more than eight years ago went on trial today on murder charges.

Raymond Samuel McLeod Jr., 41, is accused of strangling 30-year-old Krystal Mitchell on June 10, 2016, and then fleeing the country.

McLeod and Mitchell, who lived in Phoenix at the time, traveled to San Diego on June 9 to visit a friend of McLeod's from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps. McLeod's friend found Mitchell dead in the guest room of the apartment the next day.

McLeod spent the next six years on the run, during which time he was on the U.S. Marshals' 15 Most Wanted list, according to law enforcement sources.

In 2022, he was arrested in El Salvador, where he was teaching English under a different name, according to the U.S. Marshals Office.

After a three-day preliminary hearing, Assistant District Attorney Franciesca Balerio argued that McLeod's flight from the United States and his aggressive behavior toward Mitchell on the night of her death were indicative of his murderous intent.

After arriving in San Diego, McLeod and Mitchell went to a local bar, where Balerio said McLeod laid his hands on Mitchell, prompting other bar patrons to intervene.

The pair were later seen on surveillance footage at the apartment complex where Mitchell died, and McLeod is seen placing his hand on the victim's throat as the pair entered an elevator.

The prosecutor also presented evidence about two previous incidents of domestic violence that McLeod allegedly committed against two different ex-wives. One of those incidents, which allegedly occurred about three months before Mitchell's death, involved an allegation that he choked his ex-wife.

McLeod's defense team argued Mitchell's death was an accidental killing during rough but consensual sex. To this end, the defense presented evidence regarding McLeod's sexual history and noted several incidents in which numerous willing, consenting partners allowed themselves to be strangled by McLeod.

The defense, including Dr. David Drew Pinsky – popularly known as “Dr. Drew” and perhaps best known as the host of the radio show “Loveline” – took to the witness stand. Pinsky testified that choking during sex – sometimes even intentionally to the point of unconsciousness – is becoming more common.

Although Pinsky said it could be a dangerous act, he testified that many who engage in it are unaware of the risks.

One of McLeod's lawyers, Robert Sheehan, said there were no signs of a struggle or signs that Mitchell resisted or fought back. Sheehan said McLeod's boyfriend and his friend's girlfriend were in another bedroom near the apartment, but Mitchell did not call them for help.

“We have a loving couple and something went wrong during sex,” Sheehan said.

The attorney acknowledged that McLeod should have called 911 immediately, but said his flight did not prove his guilt.

“We are here because Mr. McLeod made the terrible decision to leave and not explain what happened,” said Sheehan, who described McLeod's escape as the actions of a “frightened child.”

San Diego Superior Court Judge Kimberlee Lagotta cited the injuries Mitchell suffered – namely three fractures to her larynx – and rejected the argument that her death was an accident.

“It’s the severity of the injuries. It is the force required to cause these injuries that undoes an accident,” Lagotta said.

McLeod remains in the county jail without bail. If convicted as charged, he faces 25 years to life in state prison.

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