A University City man was ordered Tuesday to stand trial for murder in the stabbing death of his roommate whom he had assaulted earlier in 2018 with a knife.

Brandon Ganskow, 34, was held to answer on the murder of Kevin Crosthwaite, 56, in a preliminary hearing conducted by San Diego Superior Court Judge Kenneth So. 

A deputy medical examiner testified the cause of death of Crosthwaite was due to sharp force injuries from scissors. Contributing to his death were cardiac arrest, hypertension and diabetes, she said.

A fire captain and police officer were called as witnesses who were at the scene at the house in the 5300 block of Bothe Avenue. 

Ganskow stabbed Crosthwaite “a number of times” in the neck with scissors, said Deputy District Attorney Matthew Greco.

The prosecutor said Ganskow was placed on probation in 2018 for assault with a knife, and he violated probation terms with violence in the new case.

Ganskow was able to return to the same residence with the victim’s consent in 2019, said Greco.

San Diego Police reported getting a call at 6:13 a.m. on July 8 for a person who was not breathing.

Ganskow’s mother also lived with the roommates at the time. He will next return to court on Feb. 11.

Bail remains set at $3 million, and he remains in jail. He has pleaded not guilty.