Tomas Rodriguez Infante, 60, was charged on Wednesday and made his first court appearance, but his arraignment hearing was moved to Feb. 13.
The body of Charito Tolentino, 51, was found in the back of her vehicle in the parking lot of the Hawaiian Gardens Casino Sunday morning. She died from blunt force trauma and stabbing type injuries, investigators said.
After a search warrant was served at the couple's home, Infante was arrested Monday in West Covina. Detectives believe Infante killed Tolentino at their home, loaded her body into her car and drove to the casino after the murder.
Infante is being held on $1 million bail. If convicted, Infante faces a maximum sentence of life in prison with the possibility of parole.
