Arrest made in 6-month-old Menifee murder case

Police have made an arrest in the case of a man who was shot to death in front of his Menifee home June 1.

Othelon Lyons, 30, of Bakersfield was arrested Dec. 21 in that city and was transferred from the Delano State Prison to the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside on Dec. 27, according to jail records and information from the Sheriff's Department. Lyons had a court hearing scheduled for today to face a charge of first degree murder in the fatal shooting of Menifee resident Claudell Walter (left). His case will be reassigned to a later date, however.

In addition to the murder charge, Lyons faces a special circumstance allegation of lying in wait, said John Hall of the District Attorney's Office. That makes him eligible for the death penalty. Hall said the decision on whether to seek the death penalty will be made at a later date by District Attorney Mike Hestrin.

Walter, a popular youth sports coach, had just returned home from coaching a basketball game when he exited his vehicle in front of his home on Light Sails Court about 9:50 p.m. on June 1, according to a Sheriff's Department news release. Walter, 38, was approached by a suspect who shot him twice and fled. Walter was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

For the last six months, Sheriff's Department investigators have been working the case without comment to the media. The first public announcement was made on Monday after the transfer of Lyons (right) from Bakersfield to Riverside.

Walter's mother, Claudette, said her son lived in Bakersfield for about five years some time ago. No information has been released about a connection between Lyons and Claudell Walter.