During a recent re-setting of the preliminary examination and discovery compliance 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.
The hearing has been rescheduled again due to some discovery being provided but not all.
The Court ordered the Deputy District Attorney to provide all discovery requested, based on motions filed by defense on July 13, 2018 and September 13, 2018, on or before the close of business on November 21, 2018.
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.
Ward and McRae are being held at the Lake County Jail with no bail.
The re-setting of the preliminary examination and discovery compliance has been continued to November 27th at 8:15 a.m. in Department Four.
The defendants are ordered to be present.
