LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Northshore man has been arraigned on charges that he murdered an Upper Lake woman earlier this week.
Daniel Ray Loyd, 50, of Nice appeared in Lake County Superior Court on Thursday afternoon.
He is alleged to have shot to death 48-year-old Cindy Yvette Quiett of Upper Lake following a robbery attempt on Quiett's male companion – Lucerne resident Patrick Joseph Ryden, 47 – early on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 13, as Lake County News has reported.
Loyd is alleged to have fled the scene in a van with a female companion, 35-year-old Angel Dusty Spring of Lakeport, according to sheriff's officials.
Later on the day of the shooting sheriff's detectives contacted Loyd by phone and arranged for him and Spring to turn themselves in, which they did that afternoon after meeting with members of the Lake County Sheriff's Narcotics Task Force, a sheriff's report stated. At that time a .357 magnum revolver was found.
Loyd was arrested booked for murder, attempted robbery and assault with a deadly weapon, while Spring was arrested for violation of probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance, the sheriff's office reported.
Attorney Doug Rhoades, who had represented Loyd in a minor matter several years ago, was appointed as his defense counsel on Thursday.
Loyd did not enter a plea on Thursday, as Rhoades said no reports or other discovery were available by that point.
Rhoades said Loyd is scheduled to return to court on Monday, Sept. 26, for entry of plea and further arraignment.
Loyd remains in the Lake County Jail, where he is being held without bail, Rhoades said Loyd's bail status will be subject to review or reconsideration at the Sept. 26 hearing.
Spring, who also remains in custody, has not yet been formally charged in connection with Quiett's shooting, Rhoades said. During the Thursday hearing Deputy District Attorney John DeChaine was unsure when, or if, Spring would be charged with a crime related to Quiett's shooting.
Lake County Superior Court records show that that Loyd – a New Orleans native – has numerous criminal cases in Lake County going back to 1996, for allegations including forgery, driving under the influence and possession of a controlled substance.
In 2007, while living in Clearlake, Loyd was arrested for vehicle theft and a parole violation, as Lake County News has reported.
He also has previous state prison sentences.
The most recent arose from a 2003 case in which he had been sent back to the Lake County Jail from state prison in order to be tried for a forgery case, according to case records.
While in the Lake County Jail in 2003 awaiting the forgery proceedings, he assaulted a correctional officer, and later was sentenced to eight months in state prison, court records stated.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
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