LAKEPORT – A Clearlake man accused of a woman's October murder was in court Friday for a preliminary hearing.

 

James Wade Roberts, 45, is charged with murder in the death of 63-year-old Ruth Donaldson of Clearlake.

Clearlake Police reported that Roberts lived with Donaldson in her Mullen Avenue home, where she was found dead early on Oct. 15.

District Attorney Jon Hopkins, who is prosecuting Roberts' case himself, said Roberts was in court before Judge Richard Freeborn, who is presiding due to another judge being out. Attorney Steve Carter is defending Roberts, said Hopkins.

During the 45-minute proceeding, Hopkins said he called two witnesses, Clearlake Police Officer Brett Rhoades and Sgt. Mike Herman.

Hopkins said Freeborn ruled there was sufficient cause for Roberts to face the murder charge.

Roberts will return to court at 8:15 a.m. Feb. 26 for arraignment in Judge Arthur Mann's Department 3 courtroom in Lakeport, Hopkins said.

Roberts remains in the Lake County Jail on $1 million bail.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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