No murder charges filed -- for now

Deirdre Newman

The district attorney’s office on Wednesday decided not to file

charges against a 67-year-old man arrested Monday in connection to a

murder investigation of a March death, citing a need for more time to

review the case.

Costa Mesa police arrested Edward Sansing on Monday on suspicion

of killing 56-year-old Joanne Stern, whom he lived with in her

two-story Costa Mesa townhome.

Stern’s death resulted from head injuries suffered in a March 20

fall that was originally deemed an accident. But based on the

investigation and autopsy results -- which have not been released --

police concluded a murder had occurred. Costa Mesa Police Lt. Dale

Birney would not disclose what led investigators to suspect a

homicide.

Prosecutor Matt Murphy said the investigation will continue and

Sansing may be charged at a later time.

“We are reviewing the evidence, and a filing determination will be

made at a later date in the near future,” Murphy said.

Sansing’s attorney, Paul Meyer -- who has also represented Dennis

Rodman in the past -- said the district attorney’s office acted

judiciously in not filing charges against his client.

“The district attorney’s office is taking the right approach at

this point,” Meyer said. “It is wise to look twice before leaping

into this case.”

The Costa Mesa Police Department still considers Sansing a suspect

and is continuing to pursue the case as a homicide, Birney said.

Sansing can be held in jail for two days without being charged,

police said.