LAFAYETTE, Calif. — As prominent criminal defense attorney Daniel Horowitz was preparing to lay his murdered wife to rest Thursday, police made the shocking announcement that they believe a teenage neighbor committed the brutal crime.

Officers arrested the suspect at about 10 p.m. PT Wednesday, but refused to identify him because he is a minor. Police charged the boy — identified by two California newspapers as Scott Dyleski, 16, of Lafayette — after executing search warrants at addresses here and in the neighboring town of Walnut Creek.

Police released very little information Thursday, but the San Francisco Chronicle quoted unnamed police sources as saying that Dyleski allegedly beat 52-year-old Pamela Vitale to death with a length of crown molding.

Vitale was wearing only a T-shirt and underwear when she was attacked and killed Saturday in the entryway to the modular home she and Horowitz were living in while their 7,000-square-foot mansion was under construction.

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Horowitz, a frequent legal analyst on Court TV and other networks, discovered the body at about 6 p.m. Saturday and called police.

Horowitz had spent most of the day preparing for the continuation of testimony in the trial of Susan Polk, the Orinda housewife who claims she acted in self-defense when she stabbed her husband, psychologist Felix Polk, to death in 2002.

Friends said Horowitz was relieved that a suspect was in custody. Horowitz looked tired, emotionally drained and numb as he sat with family members eating dinner at a local hotel Wednesday night.

Ivan Golde, Horowitz's longtime friend and law associate, said Thursday that he felt from the beginning that it was more likely that Pamela Vitale was killed during an altercation than targeted by someone with a grudge against her attorney husband.

"Pamela Vitale is a hero. She fought with her killer and held onto the evidence," Golde said, referring to reports that the killer left genetic material at the crime scene. "We are happy this was solved. Now Dan can go to the funeral and focus on remembering his wife."

Police spokesman Jimmy Lee

Associates said Horowitz was told about the arrest in a telephone call from police on Thursday morning, as he prepared for his wife's funeral. Horowitz could not be reached for comment about the arrest.

Police said the teenage suspect is being held at a juvenile detention facility. Because of the brutal nature of the killing and perhaps because of the intense publicity it generated, prosecutors likely will seek to transfer the case to an adult court.

"We are still interviewing people. Our crime lab is hard at work and we are waiting for test results to come back," said Contra Costa County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jimmy Lee.

Police refused to comment on reports allegedly leaked from the department that the killer carved a ritualistic symbol into Vitale's back.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported that Dyleski had scratches on his arms and legs. Horowitz has said that there were indications that his wife's killer cleaned up in the couple's bathroom before leaving the crime scene.

Dyleski was charged with murder. Under California law, he faces 25 years to life in prison if tried and convicted as an adult.

Police also would not confirm reports that Dyleski allegedly went to Horowitz's home overlooking Hunsaker Canyon to retrieve equipment he ordered through the mail in connection with a marijuana-cultivation enterprise.

Associates said Horowitz knew the boy and may have done some minor legal work for his family.

Police said the investigation is ongoing.