LAKE COUNTY — A man accused of shooting at police officers and later causing the death of one of his passengers during a traffic stop turned shootout, appeared in court with his new attorney Tuesday morning at the Lake County Courthouse.
William E. Steele, 40, had his preliminary hearing re-scheduled and a preliminary assignment hearing set for June 20.
He was previously scheduled to have his preliminary hearing on March 26, but a change of attorney forced a delay.
Steele appeared in court Tuesday with his new attorney, Patrick Perkin of Fort Bragg, after his previous attorney Stephen Carter, who was court appointed, was relieved from the assignment because Steele was found to be capable of hiring a private attorney.
The preliminary hearing is expected to take up a full court day and possibly take up part of a second day.
Steele faces 17 felony counts and five special allegations, including the murder of Jeremy John, who reportedly jumped out of the vehicle after a second shootout between Steele and California Highway Patrol (CHP) officers. John reportedly hit his head on the pavement and succumbed to his injuries moments later.
Steele was also charged with the attempted murders of CHP officers Shane Roach and Glen Thomas, as well as the forced detaining of passenger Gavina Delgadillo, according to court documents. Delgadillo was reportedly able to jump out of the vehicle moments after the shootings, when Steele”s Chevrolet Tahoe slowed down.
The charges date back to Oct. 23 when the CHP officer pulled Steele over for a suspected DUI in the area of Highway 29 and Cruickshank Road in Kelseyville. When the officers approached the car, Steele allegedly shot at them and drove off. He then pulled over again, drove off and shot at the officers again as he was driving away, at which point the officers fired back.
After conducting an investigation, the Lake County District Attorney”s office reported on April 14 that shooting by the CHP officers was justified.
Steele is in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility where he awaits further court proceedings.
Isaac Brambila is an associate editor for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 900-2020 or at ibrambila@record-bee.com.
