Three Plead Not Guilty in Deadly Home-Invasion Robbery in Downey

Two men and a 17-year-old boy pleaded not guilty Wednesday to murder and other counts stemming from the death of a Downey man during a home-invasion robbery last month.

Paul Darvis Misikei, 18, Henry Willie Sao, 28, and Sakaopo Atanasio Folau, who is 17 and being prosecuted as an adult, were charged Jan. 20 with one count each of murder, home-invasion robbery and first-degree burglary with a person present.

The murder charge includes the special circumstance allegation that the victim, 59-year-old Jim Rudometkin, was killed during the commission of a robbery and residential burglary.

Prosecutors are expected to decide later whether to seek the death penalty against Misikei and Sao. Folau cannot face the death penalty because of his age, and faces up to life in prison if convicted as charged.

A fourth defendant, Michael Harrod, 24, was charged Feb. 2 with one count each of murder, home-invasion robbery and first-degree burglary with a person present. He pleaded not guilty that day, and could face up to 25 years to life in prison if convicted as charged.

Prosecutors allege that Harrod planned the robbery with Misikei, Sao and Folau and drove them to the Downey neighborhood Jan. 17.

Authorities allege that Misikei and Folau forced their way into the home, with Sao entering shortly afterward.

A neighbor called police, who arrived at the home in the 10300 block of Lesterford Avenue and were told that men were seen running from the area, according to Downey police Sgt. Terry Goeckner.

A witness had seen two suspects contact the homeowner near the side door and force him back inside, then observed a third person enter the home, authorities said.

The officers gave chase after arriving and apprehended Sao, a Long Beach resident, and Misikei, an Anaheim resident, but the teenage suspect got away and was arrested two days later, authorities said.

“Further information gathered during this investigation points to the victim being specifically targeted by the suspects,” Downey police Lt. Alex Irizabal said last month. “We do not believe this was a random crime.”

An autopsy determined that Rudometkin died from blunt force trauma -- he had been struck multiple times on the head and been “bound by ligature” -- with heart disease also a factor, according to Los Angeles County coroner’s Assistant Chief Ed Winter.

Neighbors said he was a well-liked Realtor who had lived alone since his father’s death.

--City News Service, photo via Shutterstock