Executive Summary
- David Angulo, 35, pleaded not guilty to the 2008 murder of 78-year-old Thomas Charles Horton.
- The cold case breakthrough occurred after Angulo was arrested for DUI in San Bernardino County, leading to the discovery of linking evidence.
- Angulo is being held without bail and is scheduled to return to court on February 3.
David Angulo, 35, entered a plea of not guilty on Wednesday regarding the 2008 murder of 78-year-old Thomas Charles Horton, marking a significant procedural step in a case that had remained unsolved for nearly 17 years. The arraignment took place in Kern County Superior Court, where Angulo was ordered to be held without bail pending further proceedings.
According to the Kern County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO), the investigation began on November 25, 2008, when deputies responded to a residence in the 18000 block of B Street in North Edwards regarding a death investigation. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Horton deceased inside the home. For years, the case remained cold with few public developments until a recent arrest in a neighboring jurisdiction provided a break in the investigation.
Officials stated that the connection to Angulo was established after he was arrested by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBSD) on a separate charge of driving under the influence. During the course of the DUI investigation, SBSD deputies uncovered information linking Angulo to the 2008 North Edwards homicide. SBSD investigators subsequently contacted KCSO homicide detectives, who confirmed the intelligence was related to the open case involving Horton.
Following the corroboration of evidence, Angulo was formally arrested for the murder on October 17, 2025. After his initial release on the DUI charge, he was taken into custody for the homicide. During his first court appearance on Wednesday, Angulo denied the charges. He is scheduled to return to court on February 3 for further hearings.
Investigative Outlook and Legal Proceedings
This case highlights the critical role of inter-agency cooperation and database integration in resolving cold cases. The identification of a suspect nearly two decades after the fact underscores how routine law enforcement encounters, such as DUI stops, can yield evidence vital to long-dormant major crime investigations. As the matter moves to trial, the prosecution will likely rely on the specific evidence recovered by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department that bridged the gap between the 2008 crime scene and the defendant. It is important to note that all individuals, including David Angulo, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
