David Diaz

As part of a plea deal last week in San Diego’s North County Superior Court, David Diaz admitted killing a young man who had rented a room in his Carlsbad home two years ago.

Diaz at the time of the killing, in 2013

On December 17, now 33-year-old Diaz admitted to committing second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Asher Freeman, 24, who was found deceased on the floor of his rented room.

3550 Sierra Morena Drive

It was Diaz who dialed 911 in August of 2013 and reported a shooting, and then told responders a convoluted story about drug dealers who had invaded his home at 3550 Sierra Morena Drive. Police noticed Diaz, who was shirtless as he stood in the driveway of his home, had scratches on his body, and one of his hands was bleeding. Diaz was described as 5 feet 11 inches tall and 135 pounds.

The stabbing victim, Freeman, was reportedly an art student and had rented the upstairs room of the home about five months prior, according to police.

While he was being interviewed at Carlsbad police headquarters that day, Diaz became agitated and took a swing at a detective, police reported. Diaz was arrested and has been held in lieu of $5 million bail.

Neighbors reportedly told police that Diaz made a small fire in his backyard and was heard making “goat noises” and “howling” shortly before he contacted police that afternoon.

Paul Myers

Prosecutor Paul Myers charged Diaz with murder and violence on a peace officer.

Defense attorney Matthew Roberts said that the mental competency of Diaz was questioned and thoroughly tested.

“All the doctors found him sane, but all agreed that he was seriously mentally ill,” Roberts reported. “[This] exposes a gap in the system where we have people with serious mental health problems but do not fit under ‘insanity.’ Too bad we don't have better mental health treatment/facilities so this could have been prevented in the first place.”

Judge Carlos Armour signed off on the plea deal and is expected to sentence Diaz to 16 years to life on January 28.