LAKEPORT — Melvin Dale Norton, 38, of Clearlake took the stand in his own defense Thursday after Judge Arthur Mann denied a request by his defense counsel for a mistrial. The request came following the judge”s decision to grant an amendment to the complaint against Norton.
Norton is a co-defendant standing accused of murder along side Shannon Lee Edmonds, 35, of Clearlake. The men have pleaded not guilty by means of self-defense to charges including murder, assault with a knife, assault with a club and assault likely to cause great bodily injury. Norton faces an additional charge of accessory after the fact while charges against Edmonds are accompanied by special allegations because great bodily injury was allegedly inflicted.
Lake County District Attorney Art Grothe filed a motion to amend the complaint against Norton on Tuesday after discovering an additional strike in the defendant”s criminal history. Judge Mann granted the amendment, which means if Norton is found guilty of even the least of all charges of which he is accused, he would still be looking at 25 years to life in prison.
“Mr. Norton clearly knew that had two strikes. He knew it and referenced it with Detective Clements,” Grothe said.
Public Defender Stephen Carter said the amendment changes his client”s position in the case and had the additional strike been alleged previously he would have structured his defense differently. He said the DA was aware of the conviction as it was illustrated in a certified document from the California Department of Corrections (CDC) that was provided to the prosecution. “Mr. Grothe could have and should have looked at that document,” Carter said, adding that the defense objects to the time in which the prosecution sought to amend the complaint, which he said came following the presentation of the prosecution”s entire case, jury selection and just as he was about to put Norton on the stand.
Carter said his only option was to motion for a mistrial, which Judge Mann denied.
Norton”s testimony was focused primarily around his involvement in the fight that occurred between him, Edmonds and Uehling on Sept. 22. Norton maintained that while he did verbally confront Uehling, physically he had only pushed him. He denied any involvement in the altercation between Edmonds and Uehling. However, he did admit to helping Edmonds hide various items, which were later seized as evidence during the search of his home.
Norton also admitted to hitting Uehling”s vehicle with the golf club previously presented in the prosecution”s case. He said he had done so because he thought Uehling was reaching for a weapon on the floorboard of the vehicle. Uehling was allegedly inside the vehicle when Norton broke the golf club off in the dash.
Edmonds is expected to take the stand when the trial resumes at 9 a.m. today in Lake County Superior Court Department 3 in Lakeport.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein at drockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
