San Francisco

Bally's Victim Asked Woman to Ride on Motorcycle Before Fatal Attack with Steel Bar: DA

A fatal attack at a Bally's Total Fitness last week may have been motivated by a boyfriend's jealousy, prosecutors said Monday, as a 46-year-old plumber was charged with murder and possessing metal knuckles.

Kenneth Osako is accused of killing Diego Galindo, 43, of San Bruno with an 18-inch steel bar from the gym around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, two nights after Galindo asked Osako's girlfriend if she wanted a ride on his motorcycle, San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe told NBC Bay Area on Monday.

The girlfriend, who was not named, said she declined Galindo's offer, and the next evening, she told Osako about the invitation, according to investigators.

"That is being investigated as a potential motive," Wagstaffe said.

And the following evening Galindo was attacked at the gym, located at 180 El Camino Real in South San Francisco. Galindo died Thursday morning at San Francisco General Hospital.

In court Monday, Osako told the judge he'll be hiring his own lawyer to defend his case. He is still being held without bail.

Galindo's co-workers at Carneceria Tepa meat market have started collecting money for his funeral, and several described him as a friendly guy who liked cars and motorcycles.

Wagstaffe said it is unclear at this point if Galindo knew that the woman had been dating Osako when he asked her out.

Osako has no criminal history in San Mateo County, records show.

Osako's father, Kenneth Osako Sr., told NBC Bay Area in an interview Friday that he hoped his son "gives us a call and let us know what happened."

Kenneth Osako Sr. said he would not necessarily support his son either way. "No. If he's guilty, he's guilty. I don't support anybody that's wrong," he said.

Osako turned himself in on Thursday at a plumbing job site in San Francisco on Kansas Street. When he surrendered, Wagstaffe said they found metal knuckles in his car, which are illegal to possess.

NBC Bay Area's Derek Shore and Christie Smith contributed to this report.

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