CLEARLAKE — A preliminary hearing held Thursday brought a Clearlake man accused in the shootings of a Clearlake couple back into custody after he had posted the $100,000 bail set previously. Presiding Superior Court Judge Steve Hedstrom found sufficient evidence to hold the alleged gunman to answer for charges including attempted murder and raise the bail amount to $500,000.
“After listening to the evidence and circumstances of the case, (Judge Hedstrom) did not think that the $100,000 bail was sufficient to ensure safety to the public and the victims and assure his appearance,” said prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones.
Ronell Isaac, 33, of Clearlake, is accused in the October shootings of 26-year-old Kenneth Woodford and his 33-year-old fiance Georgina Faith-Woodford. Woodford”s mother Marilyn recounts the details of the incident, saying Isaac followed the couple in his car as they drove to pick up Faith-Woodford”s daughter from preschool.
A Clearlake Police Department report states Isaac pulled up behind the couple”s vehicle when they stopped in front of the American Legion Hall on Austin Drive.
Woodford remembers that her son and daughter-in-law had made Isaac their children”s godfather, but had recently cut off the relationship because Isaac”s drug addiction made him a danger to the family. Animosity had built since then.
“They thought he was trying to end it,” said Woodford.
When the couple got out of the vehicle Isaac allegedly shot them both repeatedly, then fled the scene.
Woodford said her son Kenneth drove to Redbud Hospital, having sustained four gunshot wounds, one leaving a three-inch hole in his arm. Faith-Woodford was shot six times and had to have a chunk of her liver removed in surgery, according to Woodford.
“The grace of God kept them from being killed,” said Woodford.
Isaac remained at large until his Dec. 26 arrest. Krones reported that Isaac pled not guilty to all charges, which include two counts of attempted murder with a special allegation that he committed great bodily injury upon the victims, two counts of assault with a firearm on two victims, one count of felon in possession of a firearm and one charge of vandalism because of a stray bullet that hit a nearby vehicle.
Woodford, her son and daughter-in-law were relocated out of Lake County by Victim/Witness for their safety. The family was in shock when they learned Monday that Isaac had posted the $100,000 bail the previous Thursday (Mar. 8) and was no longer in custody. “Lake County is not safe or secure with people like that running around on the street,” said Woodford.
She was relieved to learn that Isaac had been remanded to court custody Thursday, and that his bail was set at $500,000. “That restores my faith in the justice system,” she said.
When asked if Kenneth and Georgenia would testify in court, Woodford said, “Oh, absolutely.”
Woodford said she had prayed for Isaac”s mother, who she had known in the community during her 35 years living there. “We don”t hate him, we just hate the acts that took place,” she said.
Even so, Woodford said she and her son and his family would not be back to Lake County because of a lack of support she had suffered after the shooting.
Ironically, Woodford had created a violence prevention program at Oak Hill Middle School after the Columbine shootings.
Isaac faces life in prison with the possibility of parole if he is found guilty of the charges brought against him.
He will appear in court again on March 26 in Dept. 3 at 8:15 a.m. for arraignment. At that time, said Krones, Isaac could enter a plea bargain or most likely go to jury trial.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
