On Friday, Contra Costa County Superior Court Presiding Judge Terence L. Bruiniers denied the motion of Hughes' defense attorney, Stuart Hanlon, to move the homicide trial from Martinez, the county seat, to Richmond, said District Attorney Jon Hopkins.

The case was moved to Martinez after a change of venue motion was granted last November in Lake County. In January, Judge Arthur Mann ruled the trial would move to Contra Costa County.

Hughes, 23, is facing trial for the murders of his two friends, Christian Foster and Rashad Williams. On Dec. 7, 2005, the three were alleged to have broken into the Clearlake Park home of Shannon Edmonds, who shot Foster and Williams as they ran from his house.

Because Hughes was allegedly taking part in a crime that could result in a lethal response – such as the shooting of his two companions – he is being tried under the provocative act legal theory.

Hanlon had asked Bruiniers to move the trial from the Martinez courtroom to Richmond, because he was concerned that the level of turnout for black jurors was lower there than he expected, according to court documents.

Hopkins said the Contra Costa County Jury Commissioner has been keeping track of the racial makeup of the jury panels in Martinez, and reported that from Jan. 1, 2005 to Feb. 28, 2008, black residents appearing for jury service comprised 6.34 percent of the total – just under the statewide average of 6.7 percent.

The January decision to move the trial was based partly on Contra Costa's higher black population, 9.5 percent to Lake County's 2.3 percent, as Lake County News has reported. The venue also was better for Hanlon, who said he has a teenage son and needed to be able to return home at night.

Hopkins said the percentage of African Americans who would be eligible for jury service in Contra Costa is not known, but a person must be at least 18 years of age, and can ask for a medical excuse if over 70. He said the jury pool is taken at random from lists of those who register to vote and have a California driver’s license or Department of Motor Vehicles identification card.

Judge Bruiniers denied Hanlon's motion to move to Richmond, saying that no felony trials are heard in the Richmond court, which was previously a Municipal Court before it was consolidated with the Superior Court. Hopkins said the judge cited serious security issues and the age and condition of the building, along with problems sending the staff there to handle a felony trial.

Bruiniers also turned down a request Hanlon had made regarding sending double summons to areas of the county with higher percentages of black residents, saying that requiring extra jury service of people based solely on race would have constitutional problems, according to Hopkins.

There are still concerns about jury pool bias, however, which Hopkins raised in relation to San Francisco Bay Area print and television media. Those issues, he said, will need to be addressed during jury selection.

One of Hopkins' main concerns is a “pattern of publicity and demonstrations” that he believes may continue even with a new venue.

He specifically cites the case of Michael Negron, another 23-year-old Bay Area man accused of a death under the provocative act theory who Hanlon represented in 1999. Hopkins' motion asserted that Van Jones of the Ella Baker Center – who rallied in Lake County over the Hughes case – also participated in demonstrations in the Negron case, but under the name of the Bay Area Police Watch.

Further motions are scheduled for May 16 and selection of the jury starts May 27. Judge Barbara Zuniga has been assigned to preside over the trial in Department 2, Hopkins said.

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Lt. Mike Hermann of the Clearlake Police Department reported that police were called to the Harbor Lite Resort on Lakeshore Drive just after 10:30 p.m. on the report of a gunshot victim.

However, when they arrived they found 40-year-old Nicolai Chukreeff with a large laceration to his chest that was consistent with a knife, not a gun, said Hermann.

Police found no evidence of gunshot wounds and there were no reports of shots fired in the area, Hermann added.

Despite attempts to save Chukreeff's life, Hermann said he was pronounced dead shortly after medical personnel arrived.

Police had put out a be on the lookout alert late Sunday night, looking for a red Honda or Nissan in connection with a possible suspect, as Lake County News has reported.

Hermann said several individuals currently are being questioned in connection with Chukreeff's death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sgt. Tom Clements at 994-8251.

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1:29 a.m. – Report taken for public disturbance on S. Forbes. Female screaming and yelling in front of apartment complex at unknown male for the past few hours.

12:09 p.m. – Warning issued during traffic stop at S. Main and Oak Knoll Avenue.

1:33 p.m. – Juveniles reported throwing things across the street at other juveniles. Caller was hit in the shoulder while driving by. Occurred at 11th and Pool.

1:35 p.m. – Items stolen from locked vehicle an hour ago in the 800 block of 11th. Gone on arrival.

2:21 p.m. – Warning issued during pedestrian check at the entrance to the city corporation yard on Martin.

2:23 p.m. – Warning issued during pedestrian check at city corporation yard on Martin.

4:23 p.m. – Warning issued during traffic stop in the 7000 block of Highway 29.

4:38 p.m. – Caller reports problem with a subject who won't return their clothes. Incident occurred on 16th.

5:12 p.m. – Shoplifter reported at business in 2000 block of S. Main.

5:17 p.m. – Noninjury traffic collision occurred an hour ago at N. High and 17th.

6:16 p.m. – Anonymous female reports five female juveniles walking up the hill at 13th and Hartley. They're stumbling around as if they're on drugs or alcohol. Report taken.

8 p.m. – Report taken for male subject who was wandering around drunk earlier at Willopoint. He now has taken off all of his clothes and is in the water.

8:39 p.m. – Caller reports problems with a juvenile waking her up in the middle of the night by trespassing on her property.

9:55 p.m. – Warning issued during officer-initiated activity in the 300 block of Lakeport Boulevard.

11:50 p.m. – Warning issued during traffic stop at N. Brush and 11th.

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Lakeport Police volunteers, from left, include Gary Williamson, Theresa Harter, Debi England, Pat McFarland, Jonathan McAloon and Fred Gaul. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

LAKEPORT – On Tuesday, Lakeport Police Department recognized a group of very special people who work behind the scenes to assist in making the city safer.

The department held an afternoon barbecue and gathering to honor police volunteers Pat McFarland, Debi England, Theresa Harter, Fred Gaul, Gary Williamson and Jonathan McAloon.

Joining the celebration were Lakeport City Council members Jim Irwin and Bob Rumfelt, and Mayor Buzz Bruns.

The group worked nearly 1,300 hours during the 2007 calendar year, which helped save more than $15,000 in staff time, according to a department report.

The department had a volunteer program in the early 1990s, but the volunteer officers were hired and the program eventually lapsed, said Lt. Brad Rasmussen.

Last year, however, they wanted to start a new program, said Police Chief Kevin Burke.

“So many police departments have them now,” said Burke.

When the department hired Officer Mark Hommer, who formerly worked with the Lake County Sheriff's Office, Burke said he came with experience managing volunteers which they drew on to create the new program.

The volunteers go through a selection process, which Burke said includes a background check and other screenings.

There are no requirements as to how much time volunteers have to work, Burke explained. “They can work as much or as little as they are able.”

Lakeport Police's core group of volunteers have shown themselves willing and able to give a lot of their time to the city.

McFarland said her duties include records management and data entry. She also took domestic violence prevention training and is the secretary for the task force of officers and District Attorney's investigators pursuing the Barbara LaForge murder investigation.

England's responsibilities include traffic control at major events like parades and bass tournaments.

Harter, who recently started as a school safety volunteer, works about 10 hours a week at the Lakeport Elementary School parking lot, overseeing traffic while children are being dropped off at school

Rasmussen said the department has received a lot of positive comments from administrators and parents alike as a result of Harter's work to increase safety for children.

Williamson currently is in the academy in order to become a reserve police officer. He said he's due to be sworn in as a reserve officer in July.

Gaul, who also is a member of the Clearlake Planning Commission, comes over from Clearlake to work on parking and code enforcement, do vehicle maintenance, and help with parade traffic control and the portable radar trailer.

The department also has two chaplains – Father Ted Oswald of St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church and Rev. Mike Suski of Lakeport Christian Center.

Rev. Mike Suski of Lakeport Christian Center is one of Lakeport Police's chaplains. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

Oswald and Suski said they accompany officers on death notifications, offering support to the families and, when it's needed, to the officers themselves. 

Helping Oswald is his therapy dog, Rosie, a golden retriever who he says “has a calming effect” on people who are facing stressful situations.

Father Ted Oswald and his two dogs, incluidng Rosie the golden retriever, who accompanies him on some of his police missions. Photo courtesy of Lakeport Police.

Still in the future, said Burke, are plans to form an Explorer Post for teenage volunteers.

For more information about the volunteer program, call Lakeport Police at 263-5491.

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

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A report from Lt. Brad Rasmussen noted that in 2007 the Lakeport Police implemented a professional police volunteer program. Police Volunteer Coordinator Officer Mark Hommer was instrumental in developing the program and providing training to new volunteers.

Also last year, the Lakeport Police authorized a strength of six police volunteers and two police volunteer chaplains, with Rasmussen reporting that all of those positions were quickly filled.

During the 2007 calendar year the volunteers worked a total of 1262.25 hours, which Rasmussen explained amounts to a $15,172.00 benefit to the department when calculated at the hourly rate for a part-time police employee.

This year, the volunteers are on track to exceed the number of hours worked in 2007, according to Rasmussen.

The volunteers were assigned to duties such as bicycle safety training, assisting the public at large community and school events, traffic control during parades, administrative support, general office duties, investigative support, parking enforcement, business checks, public relations and riding along with police officers, he explained. Volunteers also participate in ongoing training related to their positions.

The work performed by the department's volunteers has proved very valuable to Lakeport Police staff, Rasmussen noted. Many of the department's responsibilities and duties have been handled more efficiently due to the dedication and commitment of its volunteers.

The department is very proud of its amazing volunteers and thanks them for their continued commitment to making the Lakeport community a safer place, Rasmussen said.

Anyone interested in additional information about the volunteer program should contact Police

Officer Mark Hommer by telephone at 263-5491 or department Web site at www.lakeportpolice.org.

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Lakeport City Manager Jerry Gillham said the city will begin its budget process for the 2009-2010 fiscal year on Monday. But he already anticipates that shortfalls in funding, paired with growing expenses, may result in the city having to lay off much-needed staff.

The latest fiscal issue came on Tuesday, when the Board of Supervisors voted to send the city a letter asking for almost $15,000 in back payments for animal control services the county provides the city. If the city doesn't respond by June, the county intends to discontinue the services.

Lakeport had planned to begin providing its own animal control services later this fiscal year, which ends in June, because they believed they could do it for less than the nearly $74,000 the county now charges, said Gillham. But because of budget shortfalls, the plan may have to wait until next year.

With the city looking at having to possibly lay off police officers in the coming fiscal year, the animal control payments are a secondary consideration, said Gillham.

As of yet, Gillham said he had no ballpark numbers as to how many of Lakeport's 14 sworn police officer positions might face cuts.

Asked why the police department was being considered, Gillham said the department is “100-percent funded” by the city's general fund.

“We're going to be examining every facet of operations supported by the general fund,” he said.

He added that a $1 million shortfall can't be overcome “simply by not spending in certain categories.”

Gillham said city staff members are aware of the possibility of layoffs, as is the City Council. “Everybody knows it's a possibility.”

Police Chief Kevin Burke said his department is seeking alternatives.

“We're very aware that the city is facing some significant financial challenges and that reductions in staff are being contemplated,” he said Thursday. “But at the police department we are taking a very close look at our budget and trying to come up with some reductions in our operating expenses that will prevent us from having to lay off staff.”

It's not just police that could face serious cuts. Other departments that draw heavily on the general fund – including the Public Works Department – could see cutbacks, said Gillham.

Indeed, no one may be immune. “All positions are sitting there to be assessed,” Gillham said.

Gillham said he's been saying all year long that the city is facing tough times, and that he feels like people haven't grasped the magnitude of the city's financial situation.

Limited public discussion of the situation

The closest city officials have come to publicly discussing the layoff possibility was at an April 15 budget workshop, held before the regular council meeting. There, budget concerns – including an audit of city books that Gillham said is ongoing – were discussed, but in much more muted terms than Gillham used this week.

That April 15 meeting saw numerous city staffers from the public works and utilities departments – as well as seven Lakeport Police officers – in attendance.

According to a statement Gillham made at that meeting, 70 percent of the city's budget is spent on staff positions.

Then, the word “layoff” was used sparingly, as Gillham and the council discussed ways of addressing the city budget shortfall, which is not the result of missing money but rather dwindling funding sources and spent-down resources.

Gillham had proposed to council members a number of scenarios, including possibly taking a $3 million loan to get the city through the next few years while redevelopment projects kick in.

It wasn't an option the council widely favored. “I don't want to lay anybody off, but if it comes down to it it's going to have to happen,” said Councilman Roy Parmentier.

Mayor Buzz Bruns said he wasn't against a loan if it would stop layoffs. “I think the consensus of our group here is none of us want to lay off employees.”

Councilman Bob Rumfelt brought up the issue of the harm layoffs could do to the services Lakeport provides its residents. “We can't get rid of our people because we need support.”

Indeed, the city is applying to the Local Area Formation Commission to annex a 150-acre area into the city limits. In a report to the council, Burke said he expects the annexation to result in extra police calls for service and a larger overall patrol area.

Asked how the city would be able to police that extra area if it began laying off police officers, Gillham said, “We have to find a way to provide the level of services necessary.”

If it comes to layoffs, Gillham said the city will follow the bargaining unit agreements for which staffers will be let go.

City Attorney Steve Brookes, who is a lead negotiator with the city employee bargaining units, said the three departments that draw the most from the general fund are police, public works and administration.

“Public safety is the biggest general fund budget unit,” he said.

The different employee classification contracts call for the “last one hired, first one fired” protocol, said Brookes.

But at the city's April 15 budget workshop Councilman Ron Bertsch said he thinks the last-hired, first-fired approach “doesn't always work.”

Council members: Too early to count on layoffs

Councilmen interviewed by Lake County News say they don't know yet if they'll actually have to resort to layoffs.

“I really think it's too early to know,” said Bertsch.

He said he would much rather look at cutting consultants fees first. “To me that's the first thing that's going to go.”

Bertsch added, “All I can do is hope for the best right now.”

Bruns said a lot depends on the ultimate outcome of the city audit.

Layoffs, he said, have been discussed, “but it's our last alternative as far as I'm concerned.”

Bruns said this is the first time he's witnessed the possibility of layoffs in his eight years on the council.

The quandary the city faces, he explained, is whether to cut employees or services. “We have a dilemma there and we're trying to solve it.”

Higher costs of doing business – rising fuel costs and health insurance for employees – are among the challenges for the city, said Bruns. In addition, the city had to spend a couple million dollars to upgrade its sewer system to the state's satisfaction following a hookup ban issued against the city last year.

One possibility the city has, said Bruns, is liquidating some pieces of property it owns – “if push comes to shove.”

Bruns said Gillham has done “a heck of a job” to work out solutions for the city, along with the city's finance department team. “They're really working close together.”

With the budget process about to start, Gillham said the city needs to find a way to balance its budget.

“How we go about doing that is going to be a team decision between the council and staff,” he said.

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