Nearly Naked Man Found Covered In Blood Next To Body

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (AP) - A nearly naked man covered in blood was arrested on suspicion of murder after being found standing beside a dead body in the backyard of a home in San Bernardino, police said Wednesday.

Residents of the home called authorities late Tuesday night. When officers arrived they found the body of a man in the yard. Standing near the body was Marvin Ivan Ramirez, wearing only shoes and socks with blood on his arms, face and torso, officials said.

Chief Jarrod Burguan told The Associated Press the suspect and victim were friends of a resident of the home and got into a fight after drinking.

Authorities arrested Ramirez, a 29-year-old resident of Covina, on suspicion of murder. He was held without bail. It wasn't immediately known if he has an attorney.

Police identified the dead man as Thurston Alexander Watkins, 39, of the Studio City area of Los Angeles.

Authorities said the victim suffered significant trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of death was under investigation.

Burguan said both the victim and suspect had criminal histories. The suspect had been convicted of a drug-related crime earlier this year, he said.