Lakeport >> Lake County Deputy District Attorney Sharon Lerman was present in court this week, regarding a motion to continue the Billy Raymond Mount case. Also present in court was defense attorney Anakalia Sullivan, opposing the request.
Sullivan argued that the defendant, Billy Ray Mount, who was also present in court on Monday, may be facing a life sentence without the possibility for parole if Mount, 35, is found to have committed the crimes. He faces five felony charges for the shooting death of Steven Galvin last summer.
Sullivan argued the reasons in detail as to why the prosecution did not show good cause to continue this case (she was told of a three-week continuance). Sullivan opposed the continuance in this matter due to this being the second filing of this case and she reminded the judge that life cases can take many days.
The prosecution stated it needed more time to identify new witnesses, while Sullivan argued they should have known this information weeks ago and she requested that judge Robert L. Crone begin this trial.
Lerman argued that DNA evidence was submitted several months ago and there is DNA evidence not yet available for discovery. She inquired if jurors would be available by June 29, if so, she was in agreement of a one-week continuance. Lerman also stated that she needed the witness list from Sullivan. Sullivan affirmed she provided discovery witnesses in February.
Crone found good cause for a continuance and the matter is a reasonable request, within the defendant’s rights, to a speedy trial. The trial assignment is set for Friday at 8:15 a.m. in Department 3 at the Lake County Superior Courthouse in Lakeport with the jury trial being set for Wednesday at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced. The defendant is ordered to be present on all dates.
Mount is accused of killing Galvin, 40, outside of a home in the 15000 block of 35th Avenue in broad daylight July 2, 2015.
The Clearlake resident was treated at the scene by medical personnel; then transported to St. Helena Hospital, Clear Lake where he succumbed to his injuries. Mount was arrested by police a few days after the shooting for outstanding warrants.
He remains in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility with a bail set at $1.5 million.
