Richard Parson went to the home of 59-year old Theresa Schmiedt, beat her to death with a hammer, and fled, taking with him her purse, ATM card, driver’s license, checkbook, and various other items. Over the next day or two, Parson attempted several times to use Schmiedt’s ATM card. He also tried to cash a $500 check drawn on her bank account. Three days after the attack, Parson checked into a motel in Gilroy. He paid for only one night, but advised the manager that he might stay for another night or two. The next day, Parson disappeared without paying for an additional night’s stay or checking out by the 11:00 a.m. deadline. Although Parson’s car was in the motel parking lot, there was no answer when the maid and the manager periodically knocked on Parson’s motel room door and telephoned the room during the day.
Between 5:30 and 6:00 p.m., the manager checked the motel room. Finding the front door chained from the inside, the manager went around the back and saw that the bathroom window was open. A damaged window screen was lying on the ground, along with a man’s jacket. The manager entered the room through the open window. After he found no one inside, he called the police.
