Son charged in father's death appears in court
Jonathan Robles's voice cracked as he repeated his name for the court Friday, addressing first-degree murder charges in the stabbing death of his father, Antonio Robles, who was killed two weeks ago.
The court appearance was a mere formality, but appearing in person, Robles, 35, was able to see his wife Becky, whom he gave a small smile to before he was taken back into custody in an orange jumpsuit and leg shackles.
Robles was charged in the stabbing death of 66-year-old Antonio Robles. CBC News watched surveillance video of an attack outside an east-end auto repair shop yard where the father parked his camper van. Hamilton Police say he was living in it.
Antonio Robles was the city's seventh homicide in 2014.
In May 2012, domestic assault and possession of a rifle and child pornography charges were laid on Antonio, a former City of Hamilton water treatment plan superintendent who had made more than $100,000 a year. After the charges, he no longer appeared on the province's Sunshine List, listing public employees who make more $100,000. He had asked a local body shop owner to park his van, access a toilet and have power at night, just minutes from his old home.
It's the same home that neighbours say was transferred from the parents to Jonathan and Becky, who have three boys themselves.
Antonio was killed four days before he would face charges. The Hamilton Spectator reported the son visited the Crown's office and learned the charges would be dropped.