A Newbury Park man has been arraigned on murder and assault charges after an alleged hammer attack on his parents, one of whom succumbed to her injuries, as reported by the Ventura County District Attorney's Office. Scott Goldberg, who is 21 years old, entered a plea of not guilty to the charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon in Ventura County Superior Court. The charges stem from an incident on November 19, where Goldberg is accused of attacking his mother and father with a hammer in their Thousand Oaks home.
In a detailed account, District Attorney Erik Nasarenko stated, "Goldberg, who lived with his parents, is accused of attacking his mother and father with a hammer." Following the screams, Goldberg’s father was allegedly struck by the hammer as he tried to provide aid upstairs to his wife. The victims, a 63-year-old woman, and a 64-year-old man, were known to Goldberg and were rushed to Los Robles Hospital with severe injuries, stated a news release by the Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Goldberg’s mother, identified as Alison Marshall, died from her injuries after being moved to hospice care.
The community of Thousand Oaks is reeling from the brutal attack that has brought unexpected violence into a serene domestic landscape. Senior Deputy District Attorney Stuart Gardner is tasked with prosecuting this case, which has materially exposed the precarious veil between the presumed safety of community and familial havens turned into tragic scenes of violence.
Goldberg’s defense, denying all special allegations, claims absence of intent in a scenario that laid a family's vulnerabilities bare. With his next court appearance scheduled for February 28, 2024, Goldberg remains in custody, his bail denied.
