Crime & Safety

Burlingame Man Accused of Murder Pleads Not Guilty

A man accused of killing his roommate in Burlingame in early December is being held on murder and weapons charges.

A 64-year-old Burlingame man accused of killing his roommate, 70-year-old Joe Consentino, pleaded not guilty to both murder and weapons charges Wednesday.

The suspect, Lawrence Arthur Hoffman, allegedly hit Consentino in the back of the head with a blunt object, resulting in a 5-inch fracture in the man's skull. Hoffman then placed blankets over the victim, placed an air freshener nearby and fled to the Los Angeles area.

Hoffman told an acquaintance about the incident, who in turn alerted police. Hoffman said his roommate had been verbally provoking him.

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Police were able to find Hoffman through his cell phone. He was found and arrested in Glendale, Calif. on Dec. 8.

Hoffman will appear in court on March 14 to set a preliminary hearing. He remains in custody on no bail.

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