San Diego police captain says new evidence “does not give me confidence” in going forward with the case

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Content can be viewed at actual source page: http://youtu.be/uDobX2x-ugA

Suspect In Homeless Killings Released From Jail GUEST: Paul Pfingst, former district attorney, San Diego County

Transcript for audioclip 30397

UPDATE: 4:30 p.m., July 11, 2016

The San Diego County District Attorney's Office released the following statement:

“The DA’s Office has been consulting with SDPD Detectives and we will continue to assist SDPD in any way we can during their ongoing investigation into these heinous crimes. Our common goal is justice for the victims in this case and the safety of San Diego’s homeless as the investigation continues.”

UPDATE: 3:20 p.m., July 11, 2016

San Diego police Capt. Dave Nisleit said at a news conference Monday that authorities had uncovered "exculpatory" evidence that left them unable to proceed with a case against Anthony Padgett, who was arrested last week in connection with four attacks on homeless people, three of them fatal.

The new evidence "does not give me confidence" in going forward with the case, Nisleit said.

Padgett had been scheduled to be arraigned in San Diego Superior Court on Monday afternoon. Instead, he was released from jail.

Nisleit said authorities had probable cause to take Padgett into custody on Thursday: his resemblance to the man in a video captured by surveillance cameras and his record. He was convicted in 2010 for setting a fellow homeless man on fire while he slept.

But ultimately, San Diego police "cannot go in full confidence in keeping Padgett," Nisleit said.

The captain said police still believe the video depicts the suspect in the attacks, and he asked the public to come forward with any information. "We need your help," he said.

Nisleit said the investigation into the attack on the homeless men "remains the No. 1 priority for the San Diego Police Department."

He took several questions from reporters during the news conference, including one about what kind of pressure was put on him and his detectives to make an arrest in this case. "Did I feel pressure from the City Hall? I did not," Nisleit said.

He said he has had the full support of Mayor Kevin Faulconer and Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman in pursuing this case.

Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Content can be viewed at actual source page:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEoWzrMlzIM&feature=youtu.be

Original post

The Chula Vista man arrested for the killings of three homeless men has been released from custody, the San Diego County District Attorney's Office said Monday.

Anthony Padgett, 36, was arrested Thursday in connection to a series of attacks on homeless men across San Diego last week.

Three of those men have died and one remains hospitalized.

"Arraignment will not occur (Monday) for Anthony Alexander Padgett, arrested in connection with the deaths of three homeless men," a statement from the District Attorney's Office said. "SDPD has not submitted their investigation to the DA for review and no criminal charges have been filed."

District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, asked at an unrelated news event Monday afternoon about Padgett's release, declined to comment. San Diego police who were also at the event said they were not authorized to comment on Dumanis' decision.

San Diego police Capt. David Nisleit is scheduled to hold a press conference at 3:00 p.m. Monday to announce Padgett's release and discuss the status of the department's investigation on the attacks.

Location of attacks Your browser does not support inline frames or is currently configured not to display inline frames. Content can be viewed at actual source page:https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1b5I1c8jDtaFm8gtlI0alT5JFnEs

FEATURED PODCAST KPBS' daily news podcast covering local politics, education, health, environment, the border and more. New episodes are ready weekday mornings so you can listen on your morning commute.





Sign up for Today's Top Stories newsletter Need help keeping up with the news that matters most? Get the day's top news — ranging from local to international — straight to your inbox each weekday morning. Enter your email address

KPBS Midday Edition is a daily radio news magazine keeping San Diego in the know on everything from politics to the arts.

To view PDF documents, Download Acrobat Reader.