Suspect in fatal beating expected back this month

Tyler Hutchinson, 21, is scheduled for initial arraignment Jan. 21 in San Mateo County Superior Court, said prosecutor Al Giannini, who is handling the case.

Hutchinson was identified early on as the suspect in the death of 88-year-old Albert Korn but has been in custody in Yolo County where he was fingered as Korn’s attacker after a string of similar home invasions there. After being convicted of those crimes, he was transported to state prison to await transport back to San Mateo County. He is now expected to be back at the Maguire Correctional Facility in Redwood City in time for court although the District Attorney’s Office said that is tentative because of security issues surrounding the housing of a prison inmate.

Hutchinson is accused of entering a back window of a home on the 2500 block of Hallmark Drive in Belmont the afternoon of Tuesday, June 2. Authorities believe he beat Korn before fleeing with his wallet and jewelry in the man’s 2004 Jaguar X-Type. Korn was placed in an induced coma with head and face injuries at Stanford Medical Center where he remained until being taken off a ventilator June 17.

Police found the Jaguar on a city street three days later. Meanwhile, Hutchinson reportedly entered one West Sacramento home where he encountered a woman and then entered another home where he was apprehended by a couple inside. The family endured a "terrifying physical fight,” according to Yolo County prosecutor Garrett Hamilton.

After his arrest in Yolo County, Hutchinson’s fingerprints were matched to those found at the Belmont crime scene. San Mateo County authorities opted to let Hutchinson stand trial in Yolo County first and, in November, he was convicted days later of three felony counts of residential burglary including one of an occupied house, possession of stolen property and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and battery.

In December, he was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison. Prosecutors may be able to introduce the conviction as evidence to jurors in the murder case.

Hutchinson faces a potential capital trial because Korn died from injuries allegedly received in the commission of another felony. The District Attorney’s Office has yet to announce whether to seek the death penalty for Hutchinson. The decision will likely come in a few months unless Hutchinson doesn’t waive his right to a speedy trial, said Chief Deputy District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.

The Belmont incident was not Hutchinson’s first brush with the law in San Mateo County. A year ago, Hutchinson reportedly yelled epithets and spit at one of two women standing with their young children at the Hillsdale Caltrain station in San Mateo. He was sentenced to 120 days jail and probation.

Michelle Durand can be reached by e-mail: michelle@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 102.