Murder count dropped against man in death of roommate

By Rich Coleman

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2010 | 7:29 p.m.

Based on findings by the Clark County coroner’s office, a count of murder against Jose Asuncion Lara-Caamal, accused of stabbing his roommate, has been withdrawn, Metro Police said.

Lara-Caamal was arrested Sunday in connection with the death of Jose Alfredo Chan-Dzul, 36.

On Monday, the coroner’s office determined the puncture wound to the victim’s abdomen was not believed to be the cause of his death, police said. The cause of death remains under investigation, police said.

Lara-Caamal, 53, was still at the Clark County Detention Center, and an application was made with the court for reduced counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and domestic violence with a deadly weapon, both felonies, police said.

According to an arrest report, Lara-Caamal told police that Chan-Dzul entered their apartment in the 3600 block of Swenson Street, near Twain Avenue, on the evening of Dec. 4 and began pushing Lara-Caamal. Lara-Caamal then grabbed a knife and stabbed Chan-Dzul in the stomach, he reportedly told police.

Police learned that Chan-Dzul had left the apartment after being stabbed and called friends, telling them that Lara-Caamal had beat him up and stabbed him. Eventually, Chan-Dzul returned to the apartment and refused to go to the hospital, Lara-Caamal told police.

Chan-Dzul was found Sunday unresponsive on the floor in the apartment. A couple also lives at the apartment, according to the arrest report, but were not involved in the incident.