Jamie Farron Putman, Calif. man, arrested in homeless woman's beating death

(CBS/AP) SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. - Police in San Bernardino have arrested a 47-year-old transient on suspicion of the beating death of a homeless woman.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise reports Jamie Farron Putman was arrested after the body was discovered Monday morning in a field. Putman was reportedly found in a nearby tree, according to CBS Los Angeles.

Lt. Gary Robertson says Putman told officers that he was defending himself from the woman, who he had been hanging out with for at least a couple of days.

The victim is a 37-year-old woman with bleached blond hair. Her body was discovered by a pedestrian who alerted authorities.

Robertson says Putman, who was nearby, acknowledged being with the woman and involvement in her death.

 County prosecutors will decide whether to press charges against Putman.