LAKEPORT >> Matthew Christian Holmes was ordered to appear in court for his Proof of Program Hearing but he was a no show in court. This was Holmes’ second chance to show proof of enrollment in an health care program, having also appeared late for court on another occasion.
During Holmes last Proof of Enrollment hearing he was ordered to effectively participate and complete an Alcohol and Other Drug Services (AODS) program, yet was unsuccessful due to apparently being unclear as to how to enroll in the AODS program.
Holmes’ Defense Attorney Edward Savin was present in court for another Proof of Program Hearing, stating Holmes was in the hospital.
Holmes was arrested last September after paramedics found him in the driver’s seat of their ambulance outside the St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake emergency room. According to Clearlake Police Sgt. Tim Hobbs, the ambulance crew noticed him searching for keys.
Holmes exited the vehicle after paramedics shouted at him and waited under their supervision until police arrived.
Holmes was charged with Attempting to Commit a Crime, Taking an On-Call Emergency Vehicle and being Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance. He entered a guilty plea to being under the influence of a controlled substance while entering nolo pleas to attempting to commit a crime and taking an on-call emergency vehicle. Pleading no contest or nolo contendere means a defendant admits no guilt for the crime, but the court can determine the punishment.
Judge Michael Lunas presided over the Proof of Program hearing, continuing the matter to Feb. 27 at 8:15 a.m. for another Proof of Enrollment hearing in Department 1.
Holmes is ordered to appear and to provide proof of hospitalization.
Perjury defendant James sentenced to county jail
Merissa Leigh James was not in custody and present in court for her Sentencing Hearing at the Lake County Superior Court.
James had been charged with Perjury, which she was convicted of on
October 18, 2016, after she allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to the court in an earlier case. The prosecution had argued that James modified or created false probation report forms and tested to the validity of the reports, leading to the perjury charges.
James is also charged and sentenced with Obtaining a Controlled Substance by Fraud, which she was convicted of on Aug. 25, 2014.
Judge Michael Lunas presided over the Sentencing Hearing as probation is denied in the perjury matter and terminated in the controlled substance matter.
James is ordered to be imprisoned at the Hill Road county jail for the upper term of four years with a total of 25 credit days, while she is also sentenced to an additions eight months with a total of eight credit days.
The defendant’s restitution fines total $1,800, while her court assessment fees total $140.
James was ordered to turn herself into the Hill Road Jail in a clean and sober condition in order to complete her terms of imprisonment.
