Man goes to trial for murder in woman’s slaying
Jury selection is set to begin today in the murder trial of a transient accused of stabbing a homeless woman to death in Palm Springs two years ago.
Verne Raymond Orlop Jr., 54, is charged with murder and sentence- enhancing allegations of using a knife in the Feb. 21, 2015, killing of 48-year-old Denee Salisbury.
Salisbury’s body was found about 8:10 p.m. Feb. 21 in a lot northwest of East Mesquite Road and South Palm Canyon Drive.
Following a search of the area that lasted until the following morning, Orlop was found nearby with a “small folding knife” in his back pocket, according to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant.
After initially stating that Salisbury had been “getting out of control lately,” he allegedly told police that he’d killed her to protect his girlfriend, who he said Salisbury had threatened. He also allegedly stated he
killed Salisbury to prevent her “from killing other transient people in the area.”
A transient who found the body told investigators he heard Salisbury shouting just prior to the body’s discovery.
The officer who took down the witness’ report had spoken with Salisbury earlier that night, the declaration states.
About two hours prior to her death, the officer spoke to Salisbury at a bus stop at 725 S. Palm Canyon Drive because she was yelling. The declaration states that during his conversation with Salisbury, Orlop approached them “shouting about something,” but turned around and left soon after.
Orlop was previously convicted in 2012 for threatening a man with a knife at a Palm Springs bar. Court documents state that he began thrusting a knife in the man’s direction, prompting the victim to pick up a barstool and shield himself.
“That’s not going to stop me! I’m going to stab your heart out. I will kill you,” he allegedly stated in response.
Orlop was about six months from completing probation for that incident when Salisbury was killed. He is being held at the Riverside County jail in Indio in lieu of $1 million bail.
