Landlord accused of shooting own tenant to death in California

SAN FRANCISCO -- A landlord and retired dentist accused of killing his own tenant in San Francisco.

Police say 68-year-old Philippe Chagniot waited outside his tenant's home and then used a gun with a silencer to kill the man.

The district attorney's office has not revealed the motive behind the shooting.

If convicted, Chagniot could be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

In court this Friday afternoon, Chagniot entered a not guilty plea.

He has been charged with homicide, special circumstances of lying in wait, possession of a silencer, and possession of a high-capacity magazine.

Chagniot's attorney immediately denied all allegations and asked the court for more time before the next court hearing because of the magnitude of the case.

"Because there are special circumstances, life without possibility of parole," said defense attorney Michael Cardoza.

Cardoza also said there was quote "voluminous discovery" to review.

"To put it into context, I would guess there are at least two banker boxes of paperwork to go through plus videos that we have to go through," said Michael Cardoza.

Police say they've obtained video showing Chagniot approach 58-year-old Eric Bigone's residence in dark clothing.

Bigone, was killed early in the morning on May 17 outside his home in San Francisco's Outer Sunset District.

San Francisco's police chief said the suspect lit a fire on top of a car and when Bigone walked outside to deal with the fire, the suspect shot him in the back using a gun with a silencer.

"The suspect then stood over the victim and fired again before fleeing," said Chief Derrick Lew.

On this Friday, it was unclear whether friends or family of the suspect or the victim turned out to the court hearing.

But defense attorney Cardoza made one point clear.

"They should hear all of the evidence - not like now 'Oh, he's been arrested. He must have done it.' Baloney. Let's wait," said Cardoza.

Chagniot is being held without bail. He is scheduled to return to court on August 28 for his preliminary hearing to be scheduled.