News
District Attorney Jon Hopkins reported Thursday afternoon that the main jury panel was seated, but that four alternates still needed to be selected.
Hughes, 23, is being tried for murder in the deaths of Rashad Williams and Christian Foster, who he was allegedly accompanying during a residential robbery in Clearlake Park on Dec. 7, 2005.
Williams and Foster were shot by homeowner Shannon Edmonds as they allegedly ran from his home. Hughes' presence with them caused him to be prosecuted under the provocative act theory, which holds him responsible for their deaths because he was allegedly taking part in a crime that could result in a lethal response.
With the jury seated, defense attorney Stuart Hanlon made a motion to have the trial moved from Lake County, said Hopkins.
On Wednesday, state officials with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People came to Lakeport to advocate for Hughes' release and a change of venue, as Lake County News has reported.
Also on Wednesday, NAACP attorney Stratton Barbee filed with visiting Judge William McKinstry an amicus brief in support of Hanlon's change of venue request.
Hopkins was set to begin his response to the change of venue motion at 1:30 p.m.
If the trial stays in Lake County, Hopkins said it will begin Tuesday, Nov. 27.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
The California Highway Patrol reported that live power lines were down across the roadway at Highway 29 and Murphy Springs Road at just after 8 p.m.
Lake County Sheriff's deputies, CHP, Pacific Gas & Electric and local firefighters responded, according to the logs. Cal Fire also was called but later canceled, according to Cal Fire's Incident Command Center.
At 8:23 p.m. sheriff's officials reported a fire had broken out in the area, according to the CHP logs.
At the same time, traffic was being routed around the closed roadway so that cars came out at Hidden Valley, according to the CHP.
CHP reported that the roadway had reopened by 9:23 p.m.
The downed power lines were caused by a tree falling into the lines a quarter-mile south of Murphy Springs Road at 7:55 p.m., said PG&E spokesman JD Guidi.
Approximately 58 customers were affected, Guidi said. Power was restored to all customers by about 10 p.m.
Harold LaBonte contributed to this report.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
{mos_sb_discuss:2}
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
How to resolve AdBlock issue?