A blank stare as Mikhail Schmidt sat handcuffed, behind glass, at his arraignment.
The 30-year-old was charged with first degree murder, accused of stabbing a man to death near The Strand in Oceanside last week.
"He followed the victim to his home, staying on the construction site. Went into his room where victim was sleeping and stabbed him several times, killing him,' said Deputy District Attorney, Cal Logan.
The victim, Jacob Laughlin Bravo of Hesperia. A family member saying he loved to snowboard. A GoFundMepage, describing Bravo as a kind soul. He was in Oceanside learning how to be a plumber.
"He was living at the construction site with the person who was teaching him the skills of the trade.," said Logan.
During the hearing, Logan said Schmidt was a flight risk and danger to the community.
But Schmidt's defense attorney, Brad Patton, said the retired marine who served 8-years, a triathlete and fitness coach, is anything but.
"A large number of friends... Basically referring to him as a teddy bear," said Patton.
The two men - strangers, according to the D.A.
A motive had not been released. Schmidt's bail is set at $3 million. He's facing 26 years to life in prison, if convicted.
