Complaint: Cabazon Man Accused of Stabbing Sister to Death

A 35-year-old Cabazon man suspected of stabbing his sister to death is due in court Tuesday.

Michael James Horton is charged with murder and a special circumstance allegation of murder during the commission of a burglary -- which could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted -- and sentence-enhancing allegations of use of a deadly weapon in the death of 34-year-old Jennifer Horton.

A felony complaint in the case obtained by Banning-Beaumont Patch indicates that authorities believe "...on or about Jan. 27... [Horton] did willfully, unlawfully, and with deliberate premeditation and malice aforethought murder Jennifer H..."

"It is further alleged that the murder of Jennifer H was committed by defendant while the defendant was engaged in the commission of, attempted commission of Burglary..." the complaint continues, adding that "...the defendant personally used a deadly and dangerous weapon, to wit, a knife..." in the alleged attack.

Horton is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday morning at the Riverside Hall of Justice. Charges were filed Feb. 4.

The victim's body was found Jan. 27 inside a residence in the 14200 block of Broadway in Cabazon, and her brother was arrested on suspicion of murder a few days later in Banning, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Jennifer Horton suffered multiple stab wounds, sheriff's Deputy Armando Munoz said.

Munoz said detectives connected Horton to his sister's death through statements from several witnesses. A possible motive hasn't been disclosed.

Horton is being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside in lieu of $1 million bail.