Preliminary Hearing Delayed for Accused Newport Doctor Killer

The preliminary hearing scheduled last week for a Lake Elsinore man accused of murder in the death of a Newport Beach urologist was continued, court records show.

Stanwood Fred Elkus, a 75-year-old retired barber, is scheduled to return to court on Aug. 23. He pleaded not guilty to one felony count of special circumstances murder by lying in wait and a sentencing enhancement for the personal use of a firearm causing death in connection with the Jan. 28 slaying of Dr. Ronald Gilbert in a medical exam office.

If convicted, Elkus faces life in state prison without the possibility of parole.

Prosecutors allege Elkus walked onto the second floor of the Hoag Medical Group building at 520 Superior Ave. on the afternoon of Jan. 28 for an appointment with Gilbert. When Gilbert walked into the room, prosecutors say Elkus shot the doctor multiple times in the torso.

Some of Gilbert's colleagues ran to the exam room and tried to revive him, but the doctor was pronounced dead at the scene.

After the shooting Elkus gave the gun to an office worker and surrendered to police.

Neighbors of Elkus were stunned by the allegations, and said he was a nice man who was anguished over prostate surgery that left him with embarrassing incontinence.

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