Roland Pouncy, the man who was arrested a few hours after Richard Sprague was killed on Julian Avenue and who was in possession of the victim’s credit card, is now being accused of murder.
The charge of possession of stolen property was dismissed on Tuesday, and Pouncy was arrested on murder and robbery charges outside the courtroom.
“Mr. Sprague was strangled and we believe the DNA supports that it was Mr. Pouncy who strangled him,” said Eric Fleming, assistant district attorney with the Homicide Unit.
Sprague was found unconscious on Feb. 19 by a resident who noticed that he wasn’t moving.
Julian Avenue residents told Mission Loc@l that they heard screams around 2 o’clock on the morning of the homicide, but didn’t think anything of it. It wasn’t until several hours later that a resident noticed Sprague lying motionless in the street. She then called 911.
Police said they received a call at 7:42 a.m., and officers were at the scene shortly after. They found Sprague unconscious, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Pouncy has been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 19., and will remain in custody until his bail is set on the new charges. He is expected to be back in court in the next day or so.
We will continue to update this story as we get more information.
“…they heard screams around 2 a.m. the morning the homicide happened but didn’t think anything of it.” Good job neighbors!
I live on this block (although the other end). People screaming is a nightly occurrence as it is right next to 16th and Mission. I wasn’t home the night this occurred so I can’t comment on that occasion though.