A man was charged with murder Feb. 3 for allegedly hitting a cyclist with his car and stabbing him to death in Dana Point on Wednesday.
Vanroy Evan Smith, 39, of Long Beach, pleaded not guilty Friday to one felony count of murder and an additional charge for use of a deadly weapon, according to the Orange County District Attorney’s Office.
“An innocent man is dead because he took a bike ride to enjoy a beautiful California day along the beach and he was hit with a car and stabbed to death by someone he apparently never met,” OC District Attorney Todd Spitzer said in a statement.
Laguna Beach doctor Michael Mammone, 58, was struck by a white Lexus while riding his bike northbound on Pacific Coast Highway near Crown Valley Parkway intersection in Dana Point at around 3 p.m., authorities said.
Mammone has no known relationship to with Smith, authorities said.
After allegedly hitting Mammone, Smith jumped out of the car and stabbed him repeatedly, according to the DA’s Office.
Bystanders intervened and restrained Smith until OC sheriff’s deputies arrived and detained him, according to the DA’s Office.
Mammone was rushed to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Smith is being held at the Orange County Jail on a $1 million bail. He faces a maximum sentence of 25 years to life, if convicted on all charges.
He is scheduled to reappear in court for a pretrial hearing Feb. 14.
“The murder of a complete stranger in broad daylight for what appears to be absolutely no reason is the stuff of nightmares,” Spitzer said. “This unspeakable act of violence will forever haunt those who were forced to witness it and it will forever haunt all of those who loved Dr. Mammone.”
