Homeless man charged with murder

A homeless man has been charged in Sonoma County Superior Court with the stabbing murder of a man who lived in transitional housing in southwest Santa Rosa on Monday.

Kahlil Rahim Keith, 35, is charged with the murder of Willie Ray Smith, 47 who was found bleeding outside a residence in the 2800 block of Red Tail Street in Santa Rosa around 3:10 a.m.

Smith was taken to a hospital where he died, Sgt. Davis Linscomb said. An autopsy determined he died of a single stab wound to the chest. The men were acquainted, Linscomb said.

A patrol officer found Keith around 6 a.m. near Southwest Community Park and arrested him for murder and possession of a deadly weapon.

Keith’s arraignment was delayed until May 20 to give the Sonoma County Public Defender’s Office time to determine whether it has a conflict in representing him.

Court records show Keith has several misdemeanor convictions for shoplifting, violation of probation, fighting in public, petty theft and a felony conviction for theft.

Smith had a record dating back to 1988 on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, petty theft, assault and battery, vandalism, lewd conduct, trespassing, DUI and a felony theft conviction, according to court records.

Smith was participating in a permanent supportive housing program for the formerly homeless run by Catholic Charities, Linscomb said.

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