Police Solve 29 Year Old Murder Case in Lancaster

In Lancaster, California, police say that after they reopened a murder case that was 29 years old they were able to finally solve it. Now, 55-year-old Christopher David Winter has been placed under arrest and is to be arraigned on charges that include burglary and murder.  Both of these offenses are eligible for the death penalty.

Back in May 1981, Joseph Azevedo's family came home to find him dead.  Law enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene of the crime and determined that the 50 year old man had been shot to death after his residence was burglarized.

They explored many leads, but were never able to identify a suspect.  In 2006, they decided to reopen the case and followed numerous leads that included a fingerprint as well as DNA analysis.  With this evidence, they were able to identify the suspect, but did not have enough information to prosecute the case.

In May 2010, a homicide detective used newer technology and presented evidence to the district attorney's office which decided to arrest and charge Winter on November 2^nd. 

Police located Winter in Ohio and he was charged with one count of residential burglary and one count of murder.

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