LAKE COUNTY — The alleged gunman in a double shooting in Clearlake is approaching his day in court. The attempted murder trial was reset Monday for the fifth time since the Oct. 12, 2006 shooting.
Ronell Isaac, 34, is accused of shooting former Clearlake residents Kenneth Woodford and Georgina Faith-Woodford. He faces two counts of attempted murder with a special allegation of causing great bodily injury, two counts of assault with a firearm, one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and on charge of vandalism because of stray bullets that hit a nearby vehicle.
“It had to be continued this week because there wasn”t a courtroom available,” prosecuting Deputy District Attorney Susan Krones said.
Jury trial was set for Tuesday. It was continued to May 6, when jury selection begins. Isaac waived his right to a speedy trial in 2007, and pulled that waiver in March 2008. Defense attorney Jason Webster said the jury selection process must be under way by May 9 to satisfy a 60-day requirement that took effect when Isaac rescinded the time waiver.
“The allegations are that, down in Clearlake in the area of the American Legion Hall, he was in his vehicle and was following them (the couple.) They stopped, and he stopped, and they got out of their cars. There was a conversation, and at some point, he started shooting at the victims. He made contact and shot both victims,” Krones said.
Krones said the victims drove to Redbud Community Hospital, where they were treated for gunshot wounds. She said 9 mm shell casings found at the scene indicated that 12 shots were fired.
Isaac allegedly fled the scene and was arrested in connection with the shooting in December 2006. He is being held on $500,000 bail at the Lake County Jail after he was released on a $100,000 bail bond in March 2007. Isaac pleaded not guilty a week later at a preliminary hearing, where he was remanded to custody and his bail was raised.
“Attempted murder by itself is life,” Isaac”s defense attorney Jason Webster said. Webster added that if it is found true, the special allegation of great bodily injury could add a sentence of 10 years, 20 years or 25 years to life.
Webster said he plans to hold his opening statement, and that he may present impeachment evidence in the course of the trial. Webster said Isaac chose to disqualify Lake County Superior Court Judge Arthur Mann earlier this year.
“It was Mr. Isaac”s preference. Each side gets to disqualify one judge for no reason whatsoever, just like each side can disqualify potential jurors,” Webster said.
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