Ronald Michael Hitchcock, accused of the 2012 murder of Deborah Ann Crouch, will now have a disposition/reset hearing on Tuesday, July 1, after the defense counsel requested a continuance last month. (File Photo)
By G. T. Houts
San Bernardino, CA – A plea bargain may be in the offing for Big Bear murder suspect Ronald Michael Hitchcock, 58, when he returns to court Tuesday, July 1. Hitchcock, who is charged with the murder of Erwin Lake resident, Deborah Ann Crouch, 53, will be have a disposition/reset hearing at 8:30 a.m. in San Bernardino County Superior Court Department S-16.
During his most recent court appearance on June 3, a defense motion for a continuance was granted by Judge J. David Mazurek after Hitchcock’s attorneys indicated they still hope to resolve the matter.
Hitchcock has already entered a not guilty plea to murder and cruelty to another’s animal.
THE INCIDENT
Deborah Ann Crouch (Contributed Photo)
Hitchcock faces 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, Big Bear Sheriff’s deputies 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 and yelling — he explained his vehicle had crashed through the locked front gate and into the lake, according to a media advisory issued by the Big Bear Station.
Sheriff’s Aviation (40-King) was dispatched about 7 a.m. and once over the scene mapped the GPS coordinates of the car’s location. The car was located about 20 yards out from the shoreline.
Two deputies, members of the department’s dive team, went into Big Bear Lake and found the vehicle, which contained the female victim and a dog. They were both pronounced deceased at the scene.
San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department homicide detectives were summoned to the scene and following their investigation — which included a search of Crouch’s residence on E Lane in Erwin Lake — placed Hitchcock under arrest.
IN CUSTODY
Hitchcock is currently in custody at the West Valley Detention Center in Rancho Cucamonga. Bail remains at $1 million.
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