Attorney For Navy Seal Accused In Santa Monica Stabbing Death Speaks

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — The arrest of a Navy Seal on suspicion of murder in Santa Monica shocked many but his attorney Friday spoke out.

"What most people haven't been told is that there was no fight on the pier," said Anthony Salerno, the attorney for Theo Krah, who is accused of murder.

Salerno says his client was only trying to protect innocent children on the Santa Monica Pier Saturday when he encountered Kris Anderson.

"Theo saw this creep, this pervert, taking pictures of little girls and he confronted him about it. Theo grabbed him and put him in a kinda a lock and asked someone to call the police," Salerno said.

Salerno says police came to the pier, checked Anderson's camera, asked him to delete the pictures and let him go.

About an hour later, Anderson was found stabbed in the head near the corner of 5th Street near Santa Monica Boulevard.

Krah was arrested Monday in San Diego and charged in connection with Anderson's death.

Police would only say witness accounts helped lead them to Krah. It's not clear what other evidence, if any, they may have.

But Salerno contends that police are unfairly linking his client to the killing because of their initial encounter on the pier.

"They connected that incident up and that's when Theo became a suspect," he said.

On social media, there has been an outpouring of love and support for Anderson's family.

The 57-year-old, who lived in Santa Monica, was described by neighbors as a gentle soul who would never hurt anyone. They spoke to CBS2 off-camera, and said they don't believe Anderson was taking inappropriate pictures. Coworkers also posted messages of support and even showcased a memorial in his honor.

Krah's bail is currently set at $2 million.