Miguel Patino, a 27-year-old from Richmond, has been charged with murder in Contra Costa County following the death of 68-year-old Vera Rowsey, a retired school principal. The attack occurred on May 28 while Rowsey and another individual were walking a dog near Bayfront Park. Initially charged with aggravated battery and assault, Patino's charges were elevated to murder after Rowsey died from her injuries. He has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on July 25. The investigation is ongoing, with police expected to release further details.
Police later identified Patino as the suspect in that crime and said they booked him into the Martinez Detention Facility on suspicion of aggravated battery, assault with a deadly weapon other than a gun, and elder/dependent abuse.
Rowsey was a longtime Principal at De Anza High School in Richmond after also serving in that role at Pinole Middle School, according to social media posts and community members.
In addition to murder, authorities have charged Patino with elder or dependent adult abuse resulting in death and elder or dependent adult abuse with infliction of injury, according to court documents.
Rowsey was one of the healthiest and most proactive women I've known.
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