A Yolo County Superior Court judge ruled that the defense is entitled to access a District Attorney investigator’s departmental phone in a felony elder financial abuse case, following allegations that the device was wiped while a motion to compel a forensic examination remained pending.
The defense in a Yolo County murder prosecution has moved to permanently bar prosecutors from reasserting a special-circumstance allegation, which a judge previously determined violated California’s Racial Justice Act.
Yolo County Judge Samuel T. McAdam ruled that prosecutors violated California’s Racial Justice Act during closing arguments in the Carlos Reales Dominguez retrial, finding they improperly linked Dominguez’s Salvadoran background, first-generation college student status, and membership in a Filipino cultural fraternity to a series of purportedly poor choices leading to the 2023 Davis stabbings.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office, following years of litigation and public expenditures exceeding $1 million, failed to secure a judgment against retired public servant Wayne Schell. Judge Samuel T. McAdam found Schell not liable in a civil enforcement case alleging his involvement in an illegal cannabis manufacturing enterprise.
A Yolo County District Attorney investigator is subject to allegations of evidence spoliation following defense counsel’s disclosure that text messages between the investigator and two key witnesses appear to have been deleted. This development led to a judicial decision to delay an ongoing preliminary hearing while the matter undergoes investigation.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors appointed Melinda Aiello as District Attorney, opting for continuity within the office over calls for external reform. The selection makes Aiello the first woman to serve in the county’s top prosecutorial role.
Yolo County officials formally responded to the Civil Grand Jury’s report on the deadly Oakdale Fire, contending that investigators lacked critical information subsequently revealed through criminal proceedings alleging a protracted scheme to mislead federal, state, and local regulators regarding a fireworks manufacturing operation situated near Esparto.
The California Supreme Court, in its May 28 decision in J.O. v. Superior Court, ruled that judges may now examine allegations that parties are abusing Code of Civil Procedure section 170.6 through bad-faith, blanket disqualification motions. The court specifically cited Yolo County as an example, where prosecutors utilized the statute to remove the county’s only Hispanic judge from felony criminal cases, highlighting the dangers posed by such challenges. This ruling represents a significant shift in California law, validating long-standing concerns regarding judicial independence and the potential for retaliatory actions against judges.
Cynthia Rodriguez, with 44 years in the criminal justice system, has advocated for vulnerable populations, positioning her as a potential leader for transparency and accountability in Yolo County.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is considering Cynthia Rodríguez for the district attorney position, with a local resident expressing support for her candidacy. The endorsement cited Rodríguez’s commitment to accountability, transparency, and fairness as central to her qualifications for the role.
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors is determining the process for filling the District Attorney vacancy following the May 15, 2026, retirement of Jeff Reisig, with Chief Deputy District Attorney Melinda Aiello currently serving as Acting District Attorney. County staff confirmed that state law and a formal California Attorney General opinion mandate Board appointment for the remainder of the term, which extends through January 8, 2029, rather than a special election. The Board is considering two primary approaches: either appointing Aiello to ensure leadership continuity or initiating an abbreviated recruitment process to evaluate additional candidates for the position.
Diane M. Ortiz and Ryan Davis are running for Yolo County Superior Court Judge, Office No. 1, with Ortiz emphasizing her experience as a prosecutor and Davis highlighting his judicial experience and defense work.
The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office is continuing to press felony charges against three UC Davis students in the Egghead case, despite the Shrem Museum’s willingness to consider restorative justice.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has abandoned his moderate reformer image by repeating debunked claims of widespread ballot box stuffing, which undermines trust in democratic institutions and is in alignment with a national movement to cast doubt on legitimate elections.
Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig has transformed from a data-driven, reform-minded prosecutor to a hardline carceral advocate, aligning himself with right-wing media and embracing the politics of punishment over criminal justice reform.
By Yenah Lee WOODLAND, CA – Judge Samuel McAdam Friday confirmed Justin Gonzalez’s jury retrial for murder…
By David M. Greenwald Executive Editor Woodland, CA – Let me start by giving some praise to…
By David M. Greenwald Executive Editor Woodland, CA – The Yolo County District Attorney’s Office has touted…
By Robert J. Hansen Woodland, CA – Current and former residents of Yolo County have voiced their…
By Robert J. Hansen Woodland, CA – Both Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig and his challenger,…