Month: September 2013

It was a tragic accident on I-5 in Woodland on August 8, 2011, that left three people dead and seven others with serious injuries.  The Yolo County District Attorney’s office put the blame on “one man and one man only,” Gubani Roderico Rosales Quinteros.  The 42-year-old faced three felony counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence.

After a juror hung the trial the first time, the case went to a court trial back in July, with Judge Mock ruling in favor of vehicular manslaughter but without the gross negligence charges.

By Dan Williams

Last week summed up the trial of one Casey Humphrey. Casey is an adult living with Paranoid Schizophrenia. When he was young, 10 years ago, he would get into fights with his father. It was during one of these particularly volatile episodes that he inflicted stab wounds on his father. His father was treated and released. Casey was not so lucky. Casey was charged with enough to land him a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

At this point Mr. Humphrey had a choice, he could go to trial, potentially face more charges and the aforementioned sentence; he could make a plea bargain, probably reducing the sentence, but still not getting the attention he needs while in prison; or he could plead not guilty by reason of insanity. He entered the NGI plea.

In year eight now of our operations, we find ourselves in the middle of an interesting juxtaposition, with the Davis Enterprise taking on heavy criticism for their coverage of the Daniel Marsh trial, and the Vanguard sitting back, having made the decision that we did not have to print every graphic detail of the troubling case.

When the Vanguard argued that the courts needed to be open to the public, we did so with the principle that an open courtroom prevents the government from abusing the rights of the accused.  However, we also believe that with freedom comes responsibility, and we believed that we could paint an accurate picture of the troublesome case without the graphic details.

Date: September 22, 2013
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 PM
Location: 1212 Merkley Ave , West Sacramento
Yolo County Library WEST SACRAMENTO Branch

On Sunday, September 22, 2013 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM at the West Sacramento Library located at 1212 Merkley Avenue in West Sacramento, the Vanguard Court Watch Council of Yolo County (VCWCYC) is inviting the public to come forward to express their concerns about the judicial system, provide testimony. Newly hired West Sacramento Police Chief Tom McDonald will be present to community concerns and provide information to the public.

By Catherine McKnight

On Wednesday morning the court heard closing arguments in People v. Humphrey. The state is seeking a re-extension on Casey Humphrey’s commitment at Napa State Hospital. The key question surrounding this case: “Is he a harm to others?” It is not about guilt or innocence, which Judge Paul Richardson made clear to the jury.

In his opening, DDA Gorman said that the “bottom line” is that Casey Humphrey “is apparently schizophrenic with little or no insight into his mental illness.” Because of this, he said, this makes him a substantial threat to others.

By Catherine McKnight

A special proceeding jury trial began Tuesday morning in the case of People v. Humphrey. Casey Humphrey, the defendant, has been in Napa State Hospital since he was in 18 in 2002, and is eligible for release in November of this year. The people believe he is not ready to be released and still poses a “substantial threat” to others.

The court heard opening statements from Deputy District Attorney Robert Gorman and Deputy Public Defender Bret Bandley.

I have had the pleasure of getting to know the victim in this case, Mikey Partida, and his family.  Everyone responds differently when the unexpected strikes and, for the Partida family, they decided to get involved in community activism to ensure that this never happens to another person.

I greatly respect Gloria Partida, the mother of Mikey Partida, and her commitment to her family and her community.  I understand why they wanted to put this behind them, I understand that getting the hate crime enhancement was vitally important to them, and I understand when they say that they are at peace.

Clayton Garzon, whose brutal beating of Mikey Partida, while shouting anti-gay epithets, horrified and captivated the Davis community last spring, has plead no contest to two counts and will receive a five-year prison sentence, to be served at the Yolo County Jail.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Mr. Garzon plead no contest to battery causing serious bodily injury and a hate crimes enhancement.

Last week we heard the testimony of Ariel Pineda, who testified that he had performed the interrogation of Daniel Marsh – who was 15 at the time of the crimes and had just turned 16 when questioned by Detective Pineda.

He testified that it was about a four-hour interrogation – it was apparently performed with an FBI agent present, but without the presence of an attorney.