January 2009

DA WRAPS UP CAPITAL MURDER CASE

A murderous crime spree in 2004 has led to a death sentence being handed down for a San Diego man. In December, the District Attorney's Office completed its successful prosecution of Tecumseh Colbert, 25, who was found guilty of gunning down two men.

gavel Colbert's crime spree lasted 22 days and began when he and two friends lured an investment banker to a secret location so the group could steal the victim's car. When the victim showed up, Colbert fired five shots, killing him. A few weeks later, Colbert attempted to rob an Ocean Beach liquor store. The store clerk, a 45-year old homeless man, was fatally shot in the chest.

A jury found Colbert guilty of two counts of first-degree murder as well as other counts including conspiracy to commit robbery and attempted robbery. At his sentencing, the judge refused to reduce Colbert's sentence to life in prison without parole. Colbert's associates were both also found guilty in association with the crimes.

NEW HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

Famiily Justice Center San Diego County District Attorney Bonnie M. Dumanis, along with San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob, unveiled a new East County Family Justice Center to help victims of domestic violence and their children. This justice center is the third-of-its-kind in San Diego and is the result of an 18-month planning process.

"The Center is an important ‘one-stop shop' for victims of domestic violence and their families," said DA Dumanis. "This new facility will allow victims to see a doctor, get a restraining order, talk to a chaplain, develop a safety plan, get a cell phone, get help for their children, interview with a detective, meet with an advocate, or sit down with a prosecutor—all in one location."

The grand opening ceremony of the East County Family Justice Center included the introduction of the center's first domestic violence poster, featuring professional skateboarder Tony Hawk. Thousands of these posters will be distributed at locations around San Diego. The Center is located at 131 Avocado Avenue, El Cajon, CA. The phone number for the Center is (619) 456-9609.

GETTING GUNS OFF THE STREETS

guns In a renewed effort to get guns off the streets of San Diego and reduce gang violence, the District Attorney's Office teamed up with other agencies in a program that offered gift cards for guns. The program offered $100 gift cards to grocery and electronic stores in exchange for handguns and rifles. Assault rifles were exchanged for $200 gift cards. "No questions asked, no I.D. required," said Reverend Ikenna Koyaki of the United African American Ministerial Council. By the end of the event, 246 guns were exchanged for gift cards, including 22 assault guns. The guns turned in were destroyed by the San Diego Police Department. Firearms can still be dropped off at 4981 Market St. in San Diego.

BIKE GIVE-AWAY SPREADS HOLIDAY CHEER

bike give away More than a hundred deserving students from across San Diego County were all smiles when they got bicycles during a holiday bike give-away in December. The bikes were donated by a local bike shop and refurbished by prisoners as part of a program at Donovan State Prison. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office along with the San Diego Sheriff's Department and the Office of County Supervisor Greg Cox took part in the give-away.

DA CRIMINAL CASE FILE

MARK JEFFERY BROWN, 50, was convicted of murdering his former girlfriend and faces up to 25 years-to-life in prison.

BERTHA PINEDO BUGARIN, 48, faces a sentence of up to nine years in prison after pleading guilty to felony charges, including practicing medicine without a license and grand theft. Bugarin was accused of performing abortions while posing as a doctor at a South Bay clinic.

JAVIER ALBERTO CASTANEDA, 22, faces a maximum 33 years in state prison after being convicted of attempted voluntary manslaughter and assault with a firearm. Castaneda shot two men after an argument last year at a Normal Heights gas station.

JAY CLEVELAND, 50, was sentenced to nearly six years in state prison for stealing $2.2 million from three people after promising to make improvements to their properties. Cleveland pleaded guilty to felony elder abuse, two counts of grand theft and admitted an allegation that the theft exceeded $1 million.

RIGOBERTO LOPEZ CRUZ, 36, was sentenced to nine years in state prison after he pleaded guilty to three counts of molesting two girls.

EDUARDO DUARTE, 38, was found guilty of child endangerment and faces a maximum penalty of 25 years-to-life in prison. Duarte was convicted of second-degree murder for throwing his former girlfriend to her death from an apartment balcony.

ROBERT JIMENEZ, 43, dubbed the "Hoax Bomb Bandit" because of the fake bomb he carried while robbing banks pleaded guilty to nine counts of robbery and one count of evading for fleeing from police. Jimenez faces more than 18 years in prison.

CESAR OCTAVIO SANTANA, 42, was sentenced to six years in prison after participating in a fraudulent investment scheme that cheated victims out of nearly $800,000. Santana pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to defraud and one count of filing a false tax return.

RICHARD KENNETH SHERMAN, 31, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after being convicted of fatally stabbing another man during a fight over a missing skateboard in Hillcrest.