Attorney - Unarmed stalker death was self-defense

ST. LOUIS -- A man charged with murder in the shooting death of a chronic stalker acted in self-defense, contrary to claims by investigators questioning the use of lethal force against the unarmed victim, the man's attorney said Thursday.

Richard "Rick" Pearia, 51, on Thursday was ordered to appear Nov. 13 for a preliminary hearing on charges of second-degree murder and armed criminal action in the Oct. 7 death of Donald Brinkmeyer, who allegedly had been stalking Pearia's wife, Kerstin.

Authorities say Brinkmeyer was shot -- possibly several times after he already had fallen wounded -- after following Kerstin Pearia home in St. Charles County, about 40 miles west of St. Louis. At her husband's behest, investigators suspect, Kerstin Pearia got an ice pick that was placed next to Brinkmeyer's body.

-- From staff, wire reports