Stanislaus Co. to Pay $22.5M in Wrongful Murder Case

Stanislaus Co. to Pay $22.5M in Wrongful Murder Case

Introduction

Nearly six years after a jury acquitted a criminal defense attorney and seven others of a 2012 murder, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors has approved a $22.5 million settlement for the wrongful accusations they faced.

Murder Case Sparks Widespread Arrests

The case began in March 2012 when a 26-year-old man went missing. Months later, on August 19, 2013, hunters discovered his body in a forest near Yosemite National Park. By August 2015, the investigation led to the arrests of eight individuals: the defense attorney, his wife and daughter, two brothers who operated a liquor store in Turlock, and three California Highway Patrol officers.

Controversial Allegations and Long Legal Proceedings

A criminal complaint alleged that the attorney had left valuables visible on his property to attract burglars while armed security was present. Law enforcement claimed the deceased man had a history of stealing antiques and reselling them. The case attracted public attention due to the number of prominent defendants and the unusual nature of the allegations.

During the 18-month preliminary hearing, charges against the attorney’s wife and daughter were dropped. The remaining defendants faced trial for 17 months until a jury in June 2019 found them all not guilty.

Civil Lawsuit and Settlement

After their acquittal, the eight defendants filed a lawsuit alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution. According to the legal team, the defense attorney died on August 12, 2020, reportedly after falling ill while in jail awaiting trial.

“This case is a stark reminder of the damage that unchecked power can cause,” said one of the attorneys representing the plaintiffs. “Thankfully, justice was served in part through this substantial settlement.”

Payouts and Unanswered Questions

Each of the eight individuals will receive at least $1.5 million, with $4 million allocated to the estate of the late attorney. As of now, it remains unclear whether authorities have pursued any additional suspects in the case since the 2019 acquittals.