UPPER LAKE >> An Upper Lake man, William Morton Henry, 64, remains behind bars on a $1 million bail in relation to the death of his wife, Cindi Henry, 51.
Henry is charged with murder.
The charges stem from an incident last month when the 51-year-old woman was found dead by family members at the residence on the 9700 block of Elliot Street, Upper Lake, as William Henry’s location was unknown. Henry was wanted by Major Crimes detectives after Lake County Sheriff’s deputies reported the suspicious death of his wife.
LCSO located Henry at his Upper Lake home and he was taken into custody without incident.
An autopsy was performed on Cindi Henry – confirming her death was a homicide. According to LCSO, “Cindi’s cause of death was mechanical asphyxiation.”
During a recent preliminary hearing witnesses were present along with various exhibits related to the case – upon review of the court, it was determined there was sufficient evidence to move forward with the case and William Henry is held to answer to the charges.
Bail was argued and the court ordered Henry’s bail remain at $1 million.
The arraignment on the information has been set for Aug. 20 at 8:15 a.m. in Department Four of the Lake County Superior Court.
Preliminary hearing set for killing, robbery suspects
In another matter, during a recent bail ruling hearing, an Oakland man, David Alex Ward, 30, and a Santa Rosa man, Daniel Floyd McRae, 24, appeared in court with their separate defense teams.
Both defendants are being charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery – while Ward is charged with several additional counts and McRae is also charged with being an accessory.
According to the Clearlake Police Department, in November of 2016 Ward and McRae, allegedly armed with an automatic firearm, arrived at a residence and demanded those present get on the ground. Among those in the home was 24-year-old Brandon McAfee.
Police reports indicate that one victim refused to comply and a struggle ensued between this person and one of the alleged intruders. It was then that the firearm was discharged several times. McAfee was hit in the chest area.
Ward and McRae reportedly fled the scene. McAfee was pronounced dead at the hospital.
After a lengthy investigation into the death of Brandon McAfee Clearlake Police Sgt. Elvis Cook determined there was enough evidence to issue a warrant for Ward’s arrest. On Jan. 28, 2018 Ward was arrested in Alameda County and transported back to Lake County Jail, where he remains.
Following Ward’s arrest, McRae was arrested on Feb. 15, 2018 and also remains at the Lake County Jail.
Clearlake police investigators believe a marijuana transaction led to the shooting.
The recent hearing had been on for the Court’s ruling on bail and the setting of the preliminary examination. The court read and considered the briefs, responses and opposition, announcing its tentative decision – the request for bail was denied.
Ward and McRae are being held at the Lake County Jail with no bail.
The preliminary examination has been set for Sept. 26 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced.
The defendants are ordered to be present.
