A disposition/reset hearing for Ronald Michael Hitchcock, accused of the 2012 murder of Deborah Ann Crouch, has been set for 8:32 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30. (File Photo)
By G.T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – Murder suspect Ronald Michael Hitchcock, 58, returns to court at 8:32 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, for a disposition/reset hearing in Department S-27.
Deborah Ann Crouch (Contributed Photo)
Hitchcock, who is charged with the murder of Erwin Lake resident, Deborah Ann Crouch, 53, has entered a not guilty plea to murder and cruelty to another’s animal.
THE MURDER CASE
The suspect faces the two felony charges after Crouch’s body and that of a dog were retrieved from a submerged car in Big Bear Lake on September 15, 2012.
On that date, Sheriff’s deputies from the Big Bear Station responded to the Swim Beach area of Meadow Park about 6 a.m. and made contact with a man — who was inside the fencing at Swim Beach — who explained his vehicle had crashed through the locked front gate and into the lake, according to a press release from the Big Bear Sheriff’s Station.
Two deputies, members of the department’s dive team, went into Big Bear Lake and found the vehicle, which contained the body of the female victim and a dog.
Homicide detectives were summoned to the scene and following their investigation — which included a search of Crouch’s residence on E Lane — placed Hitchcock under arrest.
HITCHCOCK IN CUSTODY
Bail is set at $1 million for Hitchcock who remains in custody at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. (103)