LAKEPORT >> A Nice man has been found guilty of murder and faces life in prison without the possibility of parole after a nearly two-month trial.
The charges against Daniel Ray Loyd, 52, stem from an incident that took place on Sept. 13, 2011 when he shot Cindy Yvette Quiett in the abdomen and caused her death in Lucerne. She was 48 years old.
The jury also found Loyd guilty of attempted robbery, assault with a deadly weapon and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He will not face the death penalty.
Loyd was trying to rob a man who was with Quiett at the time of the incident, Patrick Ryden, of money and drugs. Loyd pointed a revolver at Ryden’s face. When Ryden smacked the gun away and the gun was fired, killing Quiett. He acknowledged his shot led to her death, but pled not guilty to the charges.
During the investigation, authorities obtained an on-the-record confession by Loyd, who said he regretted shooting Quiett, Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) Detective John Drewry said during the preliminary hearing. Loyd also allegedly said he approached Ryden with no intention of shooting him but planned to rob him.
Angel Dusty Spring, who was arrested at the same time as Loyd, was also recorded on-the-record as saying “I can’t believe he’d reach out and grabbed the gun.”
Spring was with Loyd during the robbery attempt and shooting, having told Quiett and Ryden to meet her on the corner of Sherwood Court and Country Club Drive in Lucerne so they could accompany her to Robinson Rancheria Casino in Upper Lake.
It was while walking to meet Spring that the shooting occurred.
Spring was arrested on charges of violating probation and being under the influence of a controlled substance.
A sentencing date for Loyd has yet to be scheduled.
Contact J. W. Burch, IV at 900-2022.
