San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comMan pleads not guilty to murder in death of fellow transient

Man pleads not guilty to murder in death of fellow transient

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - A drifter accused of bludgeoning a fellow transient to death last month in a harbor waterfront area near Liberty Station pleaded not guilty Friday to a murder charge.

Shane Grattan -- who was known to roam local beach communities -- was ordered held in lieu of $1 million bail in the death of 45-year-old Darrin Joseph.

Deputy District Attorney Amy Maund told Judge David Szumowski that Grattan brutally beat the victim in the defendant's van, then did a "major clean-up" of his vehicle.

The victim's body was found by a pedestrian Jan. 19 in a patch of shrubbery next to a San Diego Port District parking lot off North Harbor Drive in the Driscoll Wharf area of Point Loma.

Prior to the arrival of patrol officers, passers-by saw a man later identified as Grattan walking out of the area, Herbert said.

Grattan, 55, was arrested Wednesday in Pacific Beach.

Maund said Joseph had injuries to the head and ribs, and there was evidence he was strangled.

Authorities have not disclosed a suspected motive for the slaying, and it was unclear what type of relationship, if any, the two homeless men might have had.

A status conference was set for Feb. 17 and a preliminary hearing for Feb. 27.

Grattan faces 25 years to life if convicted.