Crime & Safety

No Plea Entered in Stonegate Murder Case

Michael Littman, 59, is currently out on bail. He has been charged with murdering his Alamo neighbor.

Michael Littman, the Alamo man arrested and charged with murder in connection to the death of his neighbor last month, has not entered a plea, said his lawyer Michael Cardoza.

The discovery process in the case — when each side shares their evidence — has not taken place. Cardoza said his client won't enter a plea until discovery is completed.

"We haven't even received the police report, let alone any video that might be available from the incident," Cardoza said.

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Police said Littman, 59, got into a fight with his neighbor Victor Penico on the morning of Aug. 27. During the fight, Littman struck Victor's wife, Doris Penico, to the ground and she hit her head on a cement driveway. Doris, 59, later died at John Muir Medical Center.

But the details of what exactly happened that Monday morning have not been released.

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Police said the neighbors were in an ongoing dispute over property, but have not elaborated on what started the fight that led to Doris' death.

Also, neither the Contra Costa Sheriff's Office nor the district attorney's office have confirmed if there was or wasn't some sort of weapon used in the incident.

A call to the district attorney's office for this article was not immediately returned.

"Michael is one of the kindest, gentlest people I've met," Cardoza said. "He would not use violence until pushed into defending himself."

Cardoza said the Penicos had "quite a reputation" in the community and that this wasn't the first time the Penicos have been in a dispute with neighbors.

A friend of Doris, who declined to be named, said that Littman harassed her for years.

"Every month when we met, we would ask, 'OK, what did Crazy Mike do this week?'" Penico's friend said. "There was always something new."

Cardoza said he expects to see what evidence the district attorney has before the next court date on Oct. 4, when a plea will likely be entered.

  • Related: Alamo Neighbor Dies After Fight With Neighbor
  • Related: Stonegate Neighbor 'Very Shaken' From Friend's Death

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