A Jan. 30 trial date was confirmed Thursday for a convicted felon accused of fatally shooting his girlfriend at her San Jacinto home and fleeing to Las Vegas, where he was apprehended holding his and the victim’s 2-year-old son.
Celestine John Stoot Jr., 43, of Lake Elsinore allegedly killed 43-year-old Natasha Denise Barlow of San Jacinto in July 2021.
Stoot is charged with murder, child cruelty, being a felon in possession of a loaded firearm and sentence-enhancing gun and great bodily injury allegations.
During a status conference at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta, Riverside County Superior Court Judge Paul Dickerson conferred with the prosecution and defense regarding a prospective trial schedule, and both sides agreed to endeavor to clear the calendars for proceedings at the end of January.
The defendant remains held without bail at the nearby Byrd Detention Center.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Deanna Pecoraro, on the morning of July 4, 2021, Stoot was involved in an unspecified domestic dispute with Barlow, culminating in his allegedly gunning her down and snatching their son, also named Celestine, from the victim’s residence in the 17000 block of Hayes Avenue.
She said that patrol deputies were called to the location hours later and found Barlow dead.
Detectives immediately identified Stoot as the alleged assailant and believed that he had fled with his son, but no one was certain where. A statewide Amber Alert was issued, with authorities asking the public to be on the lookout for the felon and child.
Law enforcement officers captured Stoot with his son in Las Vegas the following afternoon.
The fugitive was taken into custody without incident, and the boy, who was unharmed, was immediately returned to Southern California, where he was placed in the care of loved ones.
According to court records, the defendant has prior convictions for gun assault, domestic violence and witness intimidation.