Stanton’s Retrial Date Set

Sonora, CA — David Roy Stanton´s retrial in the August 25 shooting death of 29 year old Jon Steven Flaherty of Wallace is scheduled to open at 8am on Wednesday, May 14th in Department Four of Tuolumne County Superior Court with Judge Eleanor Provost.

Stanton´s initial trial ended Wednesday of last week in a hung jury. 10 jurors voted for a second degree murder charge while the remaining two voted for voluntary manslaughter.

As a prelude to the trial date, Stanton´s first trial judge, Eric DuTemple, will hold a Readiness Conference on Monday, March 17 at 8:30am in Department One.

At any time Stanton and his attorney, Rick Angermiller, may elect to accept the plea bargain offered by the District Attorney´s office. Prosecuting Attorney James Newkirk says the second trial is scheduled to last five days because there will only be one defendent and one charge to consider (the degree of the unlawful killing).

A note of irony; today is Stanton´s 30th birthday.

Stanton´s sister, 31 year old Shawna Lea, has already been convicted of being an accessory after the fact and a felon in possession of a firearm. She will be sentenced on March 24.

Written by Bill Johnson