Inset: Sam Timaloa (Riverside County Sheriff’s Department). Background: The assisted living facility in Banning, Calif., where Timaloa allegedly attacked Attilio Cecchetto (Google Maps).
A 77-year-old man from California is currently in custody after purportedly murdering his elderly roommate at a senior living facility. However, officials in California suggest there may soon be some developments in his favor.
Sam Ato Timaloa faces multiple charges including attempted murder, battery causing serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse causing injury, and a parole violation as detailed by Riverside County Sheriff’s Department records.
The victim, 92-year-old Attilio Cecchetto, suffered severe injuries and later passed away approximately a week after the attack in early May, according to authorities.
Currently, Timaloa is required to undergo a psychiatric assessment to evaluate his mental fitness to stand trial for the deadly incident, as decided by a Riverside County judge on Monday.
The case itself was also shuttled over to another court system, according to a courtroom report by Palm Springs-based ABC affiliate KESQ.
Following a series of requests from Timaloa’s public defender, Judge Jay Kiel from the Riverside County Superior Court mandated the evaluation and moved the case to the Riverside Hall of Justice. Here, another judge will be responsible for appointing medical professionals and making decisions based on their psychiatric assessment reports.
The end goal, at least at this stage, for the defense, is to have Timaloa transferred for mental health treatment at a state hospital – which would likely freeze the criminal case against him in its tracks.
The case stems from a late-night incident at Banning Health Care on Wilson Street in Banning, a medium-sized city located roughly 30 miles west of Palm Springs.
At just before 2 a.m. on May 8, staff told responding officers Timaloa assaulted his roommate, causing “severe injuries,” according to a press release issued by the Banning Police Department.
At first, Cecchetto’s prognosis was not so dim.
“He was treated at the scene by Cal Fire and AMR personnel before being transported to a local trauma hospital,” the press release reads. “The victim was reported to be in stable but critical condition.”
But by May 11, the victim had died.
Police and the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office are said to be considering adding a murder charge against Timaloa, pending the results of an autopsy, KESQ and Patch reported at the time.
“Pending the completion of an autopsy, the Banning Police Department will work with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office to determine if the charge of murder will be sought against the suspect,” the police department said.
At the time of his arrest, Timaloa was on active parole for murder in the second degree, police said. Before that, he was convicted of rape by force or fear, attempted murder and domestic violence.
The defendant is currently being detained at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility on $1 million bail.
The 92-year-0ld’s family started a GoFundMe for his widow, Denyse Cecchetto, as she deals with “emotional and financial hardship.”
