Scene of the crime
BAKERSFIELD — A spousal abuse investigation in Oxnard led to the arrest of a couple on various charges stemming from an incident on June 24th.
On that day, at an apartment in the 300 block of Troy Street in Bakersfield, deputies responded to an assault call.
Once there, they found a female victim suffering from stab wounds. The victim was taken to the hospital in critical condition, suffering the “potential loss of several fingers.” The sword wounds were inflicted on the victim by 50-year-old Franco Ochoa.
The investigation revealed that Ochoa held the victim hostage in her own home for several days. He also moved his wife, 42-year-old Amalia Lopez, into the apartment and ordered her to assault the victim as well. Lopez also took several items of clothing from the victim.
Then, on June 24th, Ochoa assaulted the victim with a sword, proceeded to stack clothing and papers in the living room, and lit it on fire. The husband and wife fled, and the victim was able to escape her apartment.
Finally, on Monday, in response to the unrelated spousal abuse call, Ochoa and Lopez were arrested and charged with attempted murder, torture, mayhem, assault, burglary, and arson in the June 24 incident.
Ochoa has previous charges of assault, carjacking, and drug use.
