*CRIMINAL CASE UPDATE*

MURDER CHARGES FILED AGAINST MAN FOR THE DEATHS OF HIS WIFE AND 6-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER

RIVERSIDE - Murder charges were filed today, Nov. 24, 2009, against a Perris man for killing his wife and 6-year-old daughter earlier this month.

Michael Barbar, DOB: 7-9-57, has been charged with two counts of murder with special circumstances of multiple murders and lying in wait.

The lying in wait allegation stems from Barbar waiting until his wife and the little girl went to bed before murdering them. Barbar also gave his two teenage step-children who lived at the home money to stay out late the night of the murders.

The special circumstances make Barbar eligible for the death penalty, a decision which will be made by Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco at a later time.

On Nov. 14, 2009, Riverside County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to a home in the 2800 block of Banner Place in Perris to check the welfare of the occupants. Deputies found a 43-year-old woman and a 6-year-old girl dead in the residence. A 10-year-old girl was unharmed physically.

During the subsequent investigation it was determined that Barbar, the woman's husband, had committed the murders and fled the crime scene. Barbar was found the next day, Nov. 15, 2009, in Deming, New Mexico and arrested by police there.

Barbar has waived extradition to California and is expected to return to Riverside County by the end of next week. He is being held on a no-bail warrant. His arraignment date has not yet been set.

The case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ambrosio E. Rodriguez.