Latest news with #FresnoCountyDistrictAttorney'sOffice
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Yahoo
Prosecutors want teens accused in Clovis killing of Caleb Quick tried as adults
Prosecutors will file court petitions requesting that the two 16-year-olds arrested for the deadly shooting of Clovis teen Caleb Quick be tried as adults, the Fresno County District Attorney's Office said Tuesday. The 16-year-olds — a boy and a girl — face murder charges after being accused of the April 23 killing of Caleb Quick, an 18-year-old high school student, the office said. The boy allegedly shot Quick in the head outside of a Clovis McDonald's as he walked through a parking lot, and the girl acted as the getaway driver, according to police. Under California law, a teenager must be at least 16 to be tried as an adult and prosecutors must ask a judge to allow the teen to face an adult trial. The DA's office said Tuesday they will make that request but had no details about when a judge would make a ruling. The trial in a juvenile court carries significantly different potential punishments than an adult criminal trial, according to prosecutors. As adults, the girl would face 26 years to life for participating in the slaying while the boy would potentially be sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for the enhanced crime of lying in wait, prosecutors said. As juveniles, they each face up to seven years of confinement or up until they turn 25, prosecutors said. Both teens were scheduled for a hearing at the Fresno County Juvenile Justice Center on Wednesday. Officers arrived outside a McDonald's at Willow and Nees avenues shortly before 9 p.m. April 23, and found Quick with at least one gunshot wound to the side of his head. He was taken to a local hospital, where he died. That fast-food location was known to be a popular gathering place for teens, and Quick was there with friends, police said. Once a Buchanan High student, Quick more recently attended Clovis Online School, which is not connected to any specific Clovis school campus. Clovis police began a manhunt that lasted about two weeks. Investigators have not given any specific motives behind the killing, but said the teens knew each other. The accused shooter arrived at the McDonald's, watched Quick and followed the 18-year-old outside before gunning him down, police said. Police seized a Tesla on May 9 they believed was connected to the shooting, and a few days later arrested two suspects who turned themselves in.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DA charges Selma mayor with crime for talking to voters in line during election
Criminal charges have been filed against the mayor of Selma alleging he tried to sway people toward his reelection while they waiting to vote on Election Day. The Fresno County District Attorney's Office says Scott Robertson was holding a campaign sign when he approached and talked to prospective voters about his campaign, in violation of state electioneering laws. According to state election code, it is illegal to solicit votes or 'disseminate visible or audible electioneering information' near anyone in line to vote. Robertson was cited on Friday and is scheduled to be arraigned June 5. The misdemeanor charge could put Robertson in jail for a maximum of six months, the DA's office said. 'The integrity of our elections depends on everyone following the rules,' District Attorney Lisa Smittcamp said in a statement Friday. 'No one is above the law — especially those who hold public office.' In a statement of his own later that day, Robertson said he believes himself 'completely innocent of the charge,' and that he is looking forward 'to discussing and resolving this matter with the District Attorney immediately and without delay.' He added that he will continue to do the work he was elected to do. 'I will not allow this matter to interfere with my duties as mayor.' Robertson is no stranger to controversy. The mayor had been involved in a long-standing dispute with former Selma city manager Francisco Santillan, who was fired at a council meeting earlier this month. Santillan had previously received a settlement (and apology) from the city after Robertson accused him of harassment in 2023, as reported by GV Wire. During Robertson's reelection campaign, he came under fire from the city's police union for a political advertisement it said exploited the death of Gonzalo Carrasco Jr. The officer was shot and killed in the line of duty. The advertisement showed a photo of Carrasco's father with his endorsement of Robertson's campaign. Robertson told The Bee at the time that he was not attempting to capitalize on the family's grief and he was trying to show his respect and honor the elder Carrasco. The advertisements were eventually taken down.
