LAKEPORT — Former Lakeport Police officer Richard Erickson”s preliminary hearing has been set for Jan. 17, following a evidentiary motion ruling Thursday.
After reviewing more than 2,000 documents, Judge Richard C. Martin ordered approximately 300 of those documents to be disclosed in the case. These documents are from Erickson”s work files that include personnel records, timecards, payroll information, internal investigation findings and records of citizen complaints.
Specific information on what documents were allowed and what documents were not allowed was not available as Martin sealed all minutes pertaining to his review. The Lakeport Police Department has until Tuesday to deliver these documents to the district attorney”s office. Since some documents contained both disclosable and undisclosable information, the LPD was given time to go over these documents prior to delivery.
Erickson, an 11-year-veteran, is charged with felony misappropriation of government funds, stalking and making terrorist threats. He is also charged with one misdemeanor count of violating a restraining order. Erickson has pleaded innocent to all counts. According to defense attorney Don Anderson, some of these documents may prove his client”s innocence and said, “I am happy with the judge”s decision on this matter.”
A prelimary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 17 at 9 a.m. in Dept. 2. This date marks the third time that the preliminary hearing had to be postponed.
Contact Rene Morales at rmorales@record-bee.com.
