A Sept. 26 preliminary hearing was set Wednesday for the son of Angela Burks, a longtime teacher at Otay Ranch High School who was found fatally stabbed last week.
Angela Burks, 58, was found mortally wounded in her Clairemont home on July 24. She was found unconscious on the floor suffering from stab wounds to her upper body. She was transported to a trauma center where she was pronounced deceased.
“Ms. Burks was a dedicated science teacher who served the students of South County for nearly 35 years, including her time at Otay Ranch High since its opening in 2003,” said Manny Rubio, spokesman for the Sweetwater Union High School District.
Rubio said the district provided counseling services to grieving students and others. She was with the Sweetwater District since 1983 and previously taught at Southwest Middle, Rancho Del Rey Middle, and Sweetwater High schools.
“Otay Ranch High and the entire Sweetwater Union High School District are deeply saddened by the loss of Angela Burks,” said Rubio in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this very difficult time. The Sweetwater Union High School District wants to thank the entire community for their continued support of Otay Ranch High.
Her son, Joseph Robert Burks, 30, called 911 on July 24 at 7:16 to report he had been injured with a knife. San Diego Police officers discovered Angela Burks on the floor at her home at 4368 Mt. Putman Ave. in the Clairemont Mesa West neighborhood.
He wore a neck brace at his July 27 arraignment and pleaded not guilty to a murder charge in San Diego Superior Court. His attorney requested a delay in next week’s preliminary hearing on Wednesday and it was set for Sept. 26.
A judge set bail at $1 million. Joseph Burks remains in the George Bailey Detention Facility.
