Officers from San Diego Sheriffs Department’s Homicide Detail and Crime Lab returned the suspect wanted for the Feb. 1 shooting death of Pacific Beach resident James Magot, 64.
Jennison was arraigned Feb. 13 in El Cajon Superior Court on charges of murder. He entered a plea of not guilty and bail was set at $1 million. A preliminary hearing will be held April 5.
The suspect, Michael Ray Jennison, 36, was apprehended Feb. 3 near Globe, Ariz. According to Lt. Dennis Brugos from Homicide Detail, Jennison was stopped for a traffic violation, and after officers identified him, he was taken into custody without incident. Brugos said three handguns and approximately $50,000 were found in the car. At this point, it is not known if one of the guns was used to shoot Magot.
Brugos said witnesses heard gunshots come from the vicinity of Jennison’s Lakeside condominium and called police at 4 p.m. Deputies arrived within three minutes and found Magot dead on floor.
“After talking to witnesses and starting the investigation, we determined that Jennison was a suspect and the search was on at that point,” he said.
News reports stated that Magot was acting as Jennison’s real estate agent and in the process of trying to sell Jennison’s condo. Authorities said they have uncovered no motive for the shooting at this time.
For the past 12 years, Magot worked at Willis Allen Real Estate in La Jolla. He also served on the San Diego Zoning Board of Appeals for seven years and was a past chairman of the Pacific Beach Planning Committee.
Police are asking anyone with information to call the Homicide Detail, (858) 974-2321, or Crime Stoppers, (888) 580-8477.