LAKEPORT — Two of the three minors in custody for the stabbing of 19-year-old Clearlake Oaks resident Alex Larranaga will undergo a fitness hearing April 16 to determine whether they are fit to be tried as minors.
If they are found unfit, they will be prosecuted as adults, said Deputy District Attorney Gary Luck, who is prosecuting the case. Mathew Domeier, 16, and Juan Yepez, 17, would face a minimum of a life sentence, 15 years of which they would have to serve before becoming eligible for parole if they are tried and convicted as adults, said Luck. They could face a potential of two life sentences with a minimum 30 years before parole eligibility because of a criminal gang charge.
According to Luck, the court will consider the minors” histories, the nature and sophistication of the current crime, and whether or not they could be rehabilitated through the juvenile court process.
If Domeier and Yepez are found fit to be handled through the juvenile court system, they could face the same sentence, but could only be held in custody until they turn 25.
Luck said Ron Miller, a private attorney from Santa Rosa, has contacted him regarding Yepez”s defense. Domeier has been appointed a public defender.
All five of the young men arrested for the stabbing are charged with three felony counts apiece, with three enhancements adding more potential jail time. The charges are premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem and active participation in a criminal street gang. The enhancements include two criminal gang allegations and one for personally inflicting great bodily injury.
“Because of the nature of the crime we think it warrants them being tried as adults,” said Luck Thursday. A hearing that is not open to the public is scheduled for him on Monday; no further information could be released for confidentiality purposes.
The stabbing took place between Lakeport”s Library Park and the adjoining TNT (On the Lake) restaurant in full view of patrons sitting on the eatery”s outdoor patio.
At last verification, Larranaga was at Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in the critical care unit with a collapsed lung, seven stab wounds and a partially severed spine. Luck said Thursday he had not received a recent update on Larranaga”s condition.
The April 16 fitness hearing is open to the public and will take place in Courtroom A of the Lakeport courthouse at 10 a.m. The two adults accused of the stabbing, Ricardo Muniz, age 18 of Lakeport and Elias Hernandez, age 19, also of Lakeport are due to appear in Dept. 2 of the Lake County Courthouse today at 9 a.m. for the setting of a preliminary hearing.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
