LAKEPORT — Defendants will return to court next week on charges of intimidating a witness in an attempted murder case after one defendant filed a challenge on the preliminary hearing decision, Judge David Herrick decided Monday.
Joseph Henri Deshetres and his co-defendants, Thomas Loyd Dudney and Cheryl Ann Reese, will return to court 1:30 p.m. May 20 in Department 4 for the hearing and possibly a settlement conference. Judge Arthur Mann ruled March 19 that the prosecution presented enough evidence during the preliminary hearing against the three to go to trial.
Deshetres, 62, Dudney, 59, and Reese, 56, allegedly conspired in November to intimidate a witness in the attempted murder case against Dudney.
Deshetres of Santa Rosa, Dudney of Fulton and Reese of Lakeport are charged with intimidating a witness and participating in a criminal street gang. Special allegations that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang accompany the first charge. The charges with special allegations carry a life sentence.
Dudney and another co-defendant, Joshua Isaac Wandrey of Rohnert Park, allegedly shot, tortured and hogtied Ronald Greiner Oct. 20 at the Lakeport man”s home on South Main Street behind the Record-Bee building.
Dudney, 59, and Wandrey, 35, are charged with premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, torture, home invasion robbery in concert with another, first-degree burglary, assault with a firearm, assault with a blunt force object, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, serious battery, simple mayhem and participating in the criminal street gang, the Misfits.
Three of the 11 charges carry life sentences. Special allegations that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, that great bodily injury was inflicted and use of a firearm accompany the charges.
The charges against Deborah Ann James, 47, were dropped March 1 after Mann found there wasn”t sufficient evidence on charges of premeditated attempted murder, home invasion robbery in concert with another, first-degree burglary and participating in the criminal street gang the Misfits.
Dudney and Wandrey agreed to a continuance on their jury trial last month and were rescheduled for trial Aug. 17 and trial assignment Aug. 13.
In the case with charges of intimidating a witness, Reese”s new attorney, Jake Zamora, said he planned to file a continuance but Herrick said he would like to see written motions.
Dudney”s attorney, Doug Rhoades, said his client opposes continuances without just cause.
Deshetres” attorney, Thomas Quinn said his client “wants to get this thing done too,” but that the defendant isn”t “enamored” of having his trial in two weeks.
Attorneys might address the issue along with the challenge May 20 in the Clearlake courthouse.
Deshetres and Dudney remain in custody at the Lake County Jail with a no-bail hold. Reese made her $250,000 bail March 19 and was released from jail.
Dudney and Wandrey are being held without bail in the attempted murder case.
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
