Lakeside Man Accused of Murdering Ex-Wife to Stand Trial

A man accused of by asphyxiating himself with carbon monoxide must stand trial on a murder charge, a judge ruled today.

Timothy Ralph Danielson, 63, is charged in the June 13 death of 48-year- old Ming Qi.

Deputy District Attorney Michael McCann has alleged that Danielson shot Qi six times after they argued about a man she'd been dating.

El Cajon Judge Herbert Exarhos ruled that prosecutors produced enough evidence at today's preliminary hearing to order Danielson to stand trial. A Superior Court arraignment was set for Jan. 12.

At Danielson's arraignment in June, McCann said the defendant was attempting to kick Qi out of the house when the killing occurred.

The defendant and his ex-wife -- who were married from 2006 to 2008 -- both lived in the home but had separate bedrooms, the prosecutor said. A neighbor said Qi had recently moved back in with her ex-spouse for financial reasons.

Following the shooting, Danielson didn't call 911 but instead took Qi's body up to his bedroom and used a generator to try to kill himself with carbon monoxide, McCann said.

Sheriff's deputies were called to the home on New Bedford Court about 4:45 a.m. June 13 by a woman who said her brother-in-law had sent her an email saying that he had killed his wife and was about to kill himself.

Defense attorney Paul Pfingst said Danielson was minutes away from death when deputies found him and administered first aid.

If convicted, Danielson faces 50 years to life in prison.

-City News Service