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Turlock man dies from injuries inflicted during home invasion robbery
Smith Jennifer.PNG
Jennifer Smith

A home invasion robbery where a man was severely beaten for his cell phone has resulted in the arrest of two people on murder charges after the victim died from the injuries he sustained during the attack.

The deceased has been identified as Edward Horton, 61, of Turlock by the Turlock Police Department.

Turlock Police detectives have arrested Jennifer Smith, 35, of Modesto and Patrick Fields, 35, of Turlock on suspicion of murder for Horton’s death.

Shortly after midnight on Nov. 3, the Turlock Police Department received a call from Horton, in which he said several individuals had just forced their way into his home in the 100 block of Starr Avenue. Horton said he had been assaulted and that the intruders had stolen his cell phone.

Horton was transported to an area hospital, where he remained for more than a week until he died on Sunday.

“Mr. Horton had died as a result of blunt force trauma sustained during the attack,” said Turlock Police spokesman Sgt. Russ Holeman.

Initially the incident was investigated as a robbery and officers had identified a few individuals suspected of taking part in the assault and robbery. After Horton died it became a murder investigation and detectives took over the case.

On Tuesday, detectives interviewed several people regarding the case and from those interviews gathered enough information to locate Smith and arrest her on suspicion of murder.

Fields Patrick.PNG
Patrick Fields

Fields had also been identified as a possible suspect in this case and patrol officers were asked to be on the lookout for him. On Thursday, a patrol officer located and detained fields. He was questioned by detectives and then placed under arrest on suspicion of murder.

Smith has prior convictions for petty theft and possession of a controlled substance and was sentenced to eight months in jail in 2013. Since 2017, she has been arrested and charged six times in Stanislaus County. The charges were primarily for petty theft, but also for identity theft and possession of brass knuckles and those cases remain open.

Fields has had prior convictions of driving under the influence, battery, and vandalism.

This investigation is still on-going. Anyone with information regarding this homicide is encouraged to call Detective Tim Redd (209) 664-7325. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.