Angela Burks, an Otay Ranch High School science teacher who was found stabbed to death in her home, feared her son might harm her, according to court testimony heard Nov. 17.
Burks, 58, who taught students in the Sweetwater Union High School District since 1983, also taught at Southwest Middle, and Rancho Del Rey Middle School. She died from 18 stab wounds July 24 in her home in the 4300 block of Mount Putman Avenue in Clairemont.
Her son, Joseph “Joey” Robert Burks, 30, was ordered Friday to stand trial for murder in a preliminary hearing conducted by San Diego Superior Court Judge Louis Hanoian. A trial date was set for March 13, 2018. Burks pleaded not guilty.
Joseph Burks had lived his whole life with his mother. His grandmother, Josephine Van Atta, testified her grandson was not working and did not pay rent. She said he hurt his back and got pain medications. Emergency room medical bills were found scattered in his room.
“She was afraid he might hurt her,” said Van Atta. “She was afraid if something happened to her, he would blame it on someone else.”
The victim’s mother said Angela Burks was encouraging him to move out, to apply for medical disability, and other options. “He didn’t want to do anything. I was trying to encourage him to get on with his life,” said Van Atta.
Sgt. Jared Wilson testified he responded to a 911 call at 7:20 p.m. in which the caller said “he stabbed his mother.”
He said Burks followed instructions and was handcuffed outside the home. Blood was on his forearms and hands, said Wilson.
“He told the dispatcher they had stabbed each other,” said Wilson.
Wilson said he went inside the home and found Angela Burks dead on the floor in a hallway and covered with blood. He said she had no pulse, but paramedics transported her to a trauma center where she was pronounced dead.
Det. Chris Leahy testified the home was divided into two sections and the space where Angela Burks lived was ordered, and “well manicured.” The bedroom occupied by Joseph Burks was “unkempt…and in complete disarray,” said Leahy. A dog or baby gate separated the areas. He used another bedroom as an office with a desk that had a lot of medication bottles and papers.
There were numerous holes in walls and his bed was piled high with items that meant he could no longer sleep in the bed, said Leahy. Joseph Burks slept on a rolled up mattress in the bathroom with a pillow and sheets. Leahy said he counted six holes in the bathroom wall.
Several notes were on the wall from Angela Burks suggesting to her son that he apply for Medi-Cal, disability, food stamps, or other alternatives, said Leahy. He said he found a stun gun that someone had purchased just six days before the fatal incident.
The victim was found with long hair strands in her hands, said Leahy. Joseph Burks has long hair and wears a ponytail.
Deputy Medical examiner Abubakr Marzouk testified the cause of death were 18 sharp force stab wounds to her face, skull, neck and other areas. He said photos of Joseph Burks showed scratches on his face which could be from the victim’s fingernails in a struggle.
He remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility on $1 million bail.
