Judge denies bail for murder suspect

By Neal Putnam

A judge has denied setting any bail for Miles Richard Lockhart, who was arrested Feb. 26 in the shooting death of a man who was initially described as a trespasser on his property in Ramona.

Lockhart, 52, pleaded not guilty before an El Cajon Superior Court judge. He is accused of killing Shane Tatro, 38, who was shot once in the abdomen on Sept. 16, 2012.

Tatro did not know Lockhart but authorities say he went to Lockhart’s home in the 1300 block of Walnut Street in hopes of buying marijuana there. Lockhart, who is also charged with possession of marijuana for sale, apparently refused to sell the drug to a stranger.

Tatro was initially described as a trespasser on Lockhart’s home by sheriff’s deputies, but the case was investigated as a homicide the past few months.

Lockhart’s sons were on the property at the time and deputies say one son handed a shotgun to his father during an argument with Tatro. The victim apparently tried to grab the gun during the struggle and was shot.

A preliminary hearing has been set for March 12. Lockhart remains in the central jail in San Diego.