Solano County District Attorney's Office

DEFENDANT HELD ACCOUNTABLE IN VICIOUS ATTACK Today, in Department 5 of the Solano County Superior Court before the Honorable Stephanie Grogan Jones presiding, Defendant Michael Garnsey was found Guilty of several violent felonies. The jury found the defendant Guilty of Mayhem, Domestic Violence, Assault with a Deadly Weapon (machete), Attempting to Dissuade a Witness, and Assault by Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Injury. The jury also found to be true that the defenda...nt used a machete during the assault and caused greatly bodily injury to the victim. On May 8, 2020, near the Denverton Bridge in Suisun City, Defendant Garnsey encountered the victim. After a brief verbal exchange between them, as the victim walked away she heard someone yell watch out. The victim turned around to see the defendant advancing on her with two machetes. Defendant Garnsey savagely attacked the victim with the two machetes while the victim attempted to protect her head from the strikes. The victim suffered severe, permanent, and disfiguring injuries. After the attack, Defendant Garnsey fled the scene and stashed the machetes at a nearby residence. Defendant Garnsey was apprehended shortly thereafter. Despite the defendant’s efforts in dissuading the victim from coming to court, she courageously testified at trial regarding this horrific attack. Defendant remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on November 19, 2020 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 5 of the Solano County Superior Court. Suisun Police Officer Kayley Evans investigated the case. Victim Witness Assistant Brooks Elliot provided victim advocacy. District Attorney Investigator Renier Hernandez and Supervising Investigator Jerry Sanchez assisted throughout the trial. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Carrie Gylling. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

Re: People v. Richard McCormick On October 23, 2020, after a two week trial in Department 11 of the Solano County Superior Court before the Honorable William J. Pendergast III, Defendant Richard McCormick was found Guilty as charged on ten counts of sexual assault against three separate minor victims. Defendant Richard McCormick was found Guilty of four counts of Sexual Penetration with a Child Under Ten Years of Age in violation of Penal Code 288.7(b), two counts of Oral... Copulation with a Child Under Ten Years of Age in violation of Penal Code 288.7(b), three counts of Lewd and Lascivious Acts Upon a Child in violation of Penal Code 288(a), and one count of Continuous Sexual Abuse in violation of Penal Code 288.5(a). The defendant was also found to have suffered a prior felony strike conviction for Residential Burglary. Between 1990 and 2018, the defendant repeatedly sexually abused family members. The victims, who are now 9, 10, and 35, courageously testified about this horrific sexual abuse. The defendant testified that any touching was either a misunderstanding, initiated by one of the child victims, or a false allegation. He further testified that he was the only victim in the courtroom. The jury was unpersuaded by his fabricated testimony. Defendant remains in custody without bail and is scheduled to be sentenced on January 15, 2021, at 8:30 a.m. in Department 11 of the Solano County Superior Court. Detective Steven Carnahan of the Fairfield Police Department investigated the case. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Elaine Kuo. Victim Witness Advocate Jeffrie Lelea provided victim advocacy. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

Parole Board hearing for Inmate Natalee Brown, CDCR #W99606 On October 15, 2020, a parole hearing was held for Inmate Natalee Brown, who is currently serving a life sentence at California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s (CDCR) California Institution for Women Chino. Chief Deputy District Attorney Sharon Henry appeared on behalf of the People and argued against her release. However, at the conclusion of the hearing, the Board of Parole granted Inmate Brown’s... request for parole. Inmate Brown had previously been found Guilty of First Degree Murder, Kidnapping, Kidnapping for Carjacking and Carjacking by a jury on April 26, 2002. Regarding the conviction, a family member of Mr. Ishida stated, I have to find peace, but because my son was tortured for two hours, I may never find peace. This has changed all of our lives forever. Inmate Brown was subsequently sentenced to 25 years to Life for First Degree Murder and Life with the Possibility of Parole for Kidnapping for Carjacking. Senate Bill 1437, which provides for the re-sentencing of certain persons convicted of First Degree Murder pursuant to a Felony Murder theory, went into effect in January 2019. Pursuant to this bill, Inmate Brown petitioned the Solano County Superior Court for re-sentencing. On October 1, 2019, having granted Brown’s petition, the Court vacated the murder conviction and re-sentenced her to Life with Possibility of Parole for the conviction of Kidnapping for Carjacking. The evidence elicited at Inmate Brown’s jury trial showed that Inmate Brown, together with Co-defendants Dante Love and Glen Green confronted a man, Kenneth Ishida, in his apartment complex in Berkeley, California. As Co-defendant Love pointed a gun at Mr. Ishida, Inmate Brown took his car keys and opened the trunk. The victim, Kenneth Ishida, was ordered to get into the trunk and his wallet and debit card identifying information were taken from him. Inmate Brown transported the victim in the trunk to a secluded location in Vallejo where Co-defendant Love removed the victim from the trunk and shot him several times killing him. Inmate Brown and Co-defendant Love drove to Richmond, Ca and continued to use the victim’s credit cards after his death until they were arrested. Solano County District Attorney’s Office opposed the release of Inmate Brown, arguing that she still posed an unreasonable risk to public safety. Inmate Brown testified at her parole hearing in support of her request for release. The Parole Board granted her request for release finding that she does not pose an unreasonable risk to the community. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

TOGETHER WE CAN BREAK THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office recognizes that awareness and response to domestic violence has greatly increased over the years, however there is still work to be done. We honor this time by recognizing the impact that domestic violence can have on all of our homes, families and communities. We would like to recognize all the survivors and those whose lives have be...en affected by domestic violence, and remember those whose lives were lost to domestic violence. We thank all of our first responders, county partners, non-profit organizations, and all the individuals who work every day towards ensuring that victims of domestic violence are able to escape their abuse. Our priority at the District Attorney’s Office is to ensure victims are safe, their voices are heard and rights preserved in the criminal justice system, and that their offenders are held accountable, said District Attorney Krishna Abrams. The current public health crisis has served as a reminder to us that domestic violence still exists within our community. So far in 2020, the District Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Assistance Unit has seen a 30% increase in domestic violence victims seeking services, as compared to this time last year. As we know, this type of violence often occurs within the home, so isolated victims are especially vulnerable. We must continue to work tirelessly towards removing any and all barriers that stand in the way of victims’ rights, safety, and justice. The District Attorney’s Victim/Witness Assistance Unit is available to support victims with a wide variety of services. Please contact our Victim/Witness Unit at (707) 784-6844 for assistance. The District Attorney’s Office also strongly supports a violence prevention approach and continues to engage in partnerships that provide a unique opportunity to strengthen victim advocacy efforts within Solano County. Many local resources are available to victims of domestic violence at the Solano Family Justice Center (SFJC) located at 604 Empire Street in Fairfield. Anyone in need of direct services as a result of family violence may call the SFJC at (707) 784-7635. Let’s all challenge ourselves to be more proactive by reporting what we see and reaching out to those in need so together we can break this cycle of violence. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

Statement from District Attorney Krishna A. Abrams Our office is aware that several individuals were arrested at a protest in Vacaville over the weekend. Our office has received these cases which are currently under review. We have become aware of a planned protest outside our office today. We support the public’s right to peacefully protest and encourage lawful decorum while exercising these First Amendment rights. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

SOLANO DA URGES GOVERNOR TO VETO BILL THAT LACKS OFFENDER ACCOUNTABILITY Diversion results in the dismissal of charges, and although our office wholly supports diversion in appropriate cases, we cannot support Assembly Bill 3234 (Court Initiated Misdemeanor Diversion) as it allows the Court to divert offenders over the objection of a prosecuting attorney for most misdemeanor crimes without any accountability. This bill is unnecessary as such diversion programs already exist t...hroughout the state. Additionally, it is so far-reaching that it appears to run afoul of the intent and spirit of traditional diversion programs. The Solano County District Attorney’s Office already utilizes several programs that provide for diversion in appropriate cases. In addition to the longstanding pre-trial DA diversion program, our office has implemented a pre-filing diversion program, and the first Neighborhood Court program in Solano County in January 2018, to address low level misdemeanor offenses. Neighborhood Court provides a restorative justice outcome outside the traditional criminal justice system. Volunteers work collaboratively with the participants to swiftly address harm inflicted on the community and together reach a just outcome. Currently, no offender is diverted on any criminal offense without consultation and input from crime victims. Cases are carefully reviewed to ensure that terms and conditions imposed adequately address the underlying conduct. We believe that AB 3234 is overbroad in that it allows for the Court to divert most misdemeanor crimes without sufficient consideration of public safety. Although the bill excludes misdemeanor violations of domestic violence, stalking, or offenses requiring sex registration, this bill authorizes the Court to divert all other misdemeanor offenses over the prosecuting attorney’s objection. Pursuant to this bill, offenders would be eligible for diversion for misdemeanor violations of driving under the influence, child endangerment, elder abuse, drugs, theft, vandalism, guns, and vehicular manslaughter. We cannot in good conscience support such a drastic measure that would circumvent offender accountability. Based upon the language of the bill, we strongly urge the Governor to veto this bill as it allows dangerous and repeat offenders to avoid responsibility and consequences for their criminal conduct, infringes upon the rights of crime victims, and it increases the risk to public safety. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

Re: People v. Kenneth Travaille Hill On September 14, 2020, in Department 2 of the Solano County Superior Court, before the Honorable Daniel J. Healy, Defendant Kenneth Travialle Hill was held to answer as charged for the crime of Murder, in violation of Penal Code Section 187(a), and was found to have personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing death in violation of Penal Code Sections 12022.53. On June 20, 2020, deputies of the Solano County Sheriff's Offic...e responded to a residence in the unincorporated area of Vallejo due to calls of a deceased female at that location. Upon arrival, they located a victim by the name of Symphony Monk who had appeared to have suffered a gunshot wound to her head. Unfortunately, Ms. Monk succumbed to her injuries. Through their investigation, detectives from the Solano County Sheriff’s Office were able to compile data from license plate readers and cell phone providers which lead them to the identity of Ms. Monk’s shooter. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with the murder of Ms. Monk. The defendant is scheduled to return to court and be arraigned on the Information on September 28, 2020, at 8:30 am, in Department 2. Solano County Sheriff’s Detectives Charles Olmstead and Dylan Friend investigated the case. Amy Harris has provided victim advocacy and the case is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Melainee Collins. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM FRAUD Solano County District Attorney’s Office wants to alert residents who may have been impacted by the LNU Lightning Complex Fire to beware of potential construction fraud scams and price gouging during this difficult time. As our community continues to deal with all of the devastation produced by the wildfires, our office remains committed to protecting our citizens as they rebuild, said DA Abrams. Price Gouging...Continue reading

On this day, 19 years ago, the unimaginable happened. Thousands of innocent lives were taken in an instant by an act of terror on our great nation. As we all watched in horror, we realized our lives and sense of security were changed forever. This tragedy that has affected all Americans should never be forgotten. But let us also remember the resiliency of all Americans and the acts of heroism of our great men and women of law enforcement and fire who fought tirelessly to ...save the lives of those they were sworn to protect and serve. Many of them never returned home. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten. Thank you for your selfless service, your bravery, your courage, and your resolve in putting the lives of your fellow Americans above your own. As we reflect on this tragedy, we continue to face new and different challenges today. Always remember we are stronger together as we stand united as a nation. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

Re: California State Prison Continues to Approve Early Releases due to COVID-19 Concerns Due to the threat of COVID-19 (coronavirus) spreading throughout the state prison population, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) continues to release thousands of inmates prior to their expected release date. CDCR determined that inmates with one year or less remaining on their sentence were to be released, supposedly excluding those serving time for dome...stic violence, violent crimes, or sex offenses that require registration. In reality, inmates serving time for serious and violent offenses are being released pursuant to Government Code Section 8658 which allows for the release of inmates in any case in which an emergency endangering the lives of inmates has occurred or is imminent. The expedited release of inmates has presented challenges for crime victims across the state, as there has been little or no notice to crime victims prior to release. Although CDCR has represented that victims registered through their victim services database will be notified, not all victims are registered with CDCR, and they are entitled to have their voice heard. We understand the importance of maintaining the health and safety of all persons including inmates across the state. We also appreciate the importance of public safety and the constitutional rights of crime victims. It is concerning that CDCRs expedited process is occurring without sufficient notice and input from those who have been victimized by crime. The Solano County District Attorney's Office remains committed to notifying crime victims of any early release. Unfortunately, we are also being hampered by the short notice of release. Please contact our Victim Witness Unit at 707-784-6844 if you need assistance. If you have been a victim of crime that occurred in Solano County, we also encourage you to register with CDCR Victim Witness services at https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/victim-services/. CDCR’s website also contains information regarding their response to COVID-19 and early releases. You can visit that information at www.cdcr.ca.gov//frequently-asked-questions-expedited-rele. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

On behalf of the Solano County District Attorneys Office, our heartfelt condolences go out to Nathan Garza’s family, friends, students, and his coworkers during this very difficult time. It is incomprehensible that a recent high school graduate, with his whole life in front of him, could have his life abruptly ended by a ruthless and senseless act of violence while working at a grocery store. We cannot imagine the amount of pain, grief, sadness, and loss that everyone who knew Nathan is feeling. All of you will continue to remain in our thoughts and prayers. District Attorney Krishna Abrams

DA ABRAMS CALLS FOR A SPECIAL PROSECUTOR TO REVIEW THE WILLIE McCOY CASE Solano County District Attorney Krishna Abrams announces the appointment of Michael Ramos as a special prosecutor to oversee and review the Vallejo Police Department officer involved fatality of Willie McCoy. ... Mr. Ramos served as the elected District Attorney of San Bernardino for 16 years, past president of California District Attorneys Association and National District Attorneys Association, and was appointed by former Governor Jerry Brown to the Peace Officer Standards and Training (Post) Commission. On behalf of the Solano County District Attorney’s Office, we previously recused ourselves due to the nature of the perceived conflict in reviewing the fatal shooting. We listened to the concerns of the community and the overwhelming public demand for an independent review of this case and reached out to the Attorney General’s Office for assistance. Although it is disappointing the Attorney General declined our request to review the case, we are confident that Mr. Ramos will provide a fair, comprehensive and independent review. At this critical moment in time, we understand the community’s call for an independent review. Our goal with this independent review is to instill public confidence and trust in the legitimacy of officer involved fatal incident investigations. We believe this independent review will be a positive step in rebuilding relationships in our community. District Attorney Krishna Abrams