A man accused of intentionally running over and killing a 60-year-old itinerant in an unprovoked attack in a parking lot on the west end of Riverside must stand trial on a first-degree murder charge, a judge ruled Friday.
Lawrence Earl Aaseng, 57, of Riverside is charged with killing Raymond Cool outside a business in the 7200 block of Arlington Avenue, near Jackson Street, on the morning of Feb. 3, 2017.
Following a preliminary hearing at the Riverside Hall of Justice, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Steven Counelis found there was sufficient evidence to warrant a trial on the murder count, as well as a sentence-enhancing allegation of using a deadly weapon — a car — in the commission of a felony.
The judge scheduled a post-preliminary hearing arraignment for April 12.
Deputy District Attorney Joshlyn Pullium alleged that the defendant went after Cool for no reason.
“Mr. Aaseng told police that he did not know the victim,” Pullium told City News Service. “He had seen the victim around the area before, but he didn’t have any personal vendetta against him.”
The prosecutor said a witness watched the entire event unfold as he prepared to pull out of a restaurant parking lot.
“According to the witness, he heard an engine revving and turned to see the defendant make a 180-degree turn in the neighboring parking lot and crash into the victim, who was sitting down on the curb, looking down,” Pullium said.
After the attack, Aaseng tried to back out of the lot in his white 2014 Toyota Corolla, but he plowed into a Nissan sedan, causing his vehicle to stall, according to Riverside police.
The woman in the Nissan was not injured.
Aaseng got out of his car and waited for police to arrive.
Riverside County Fire Department paramedics attempted to render life-saving treatment to Cool, who was taken to Parkview Community Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
According to the prosecution, Aaseng cited depression, marital trouble and workplace difficulties as weighing on his mind at the time of the alleged attack.
His attorney argued for a mental competency bench trial last fall, and at the conclusion of proceedings, the judge determined there was no evidence of deficiency.
Aaseng, who is being held in lieu of $1 million bail at the Robert Presley Jail in Riverside, could face 25 years to life in state prison if convicted. He has no documented prior felony convictions.