Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/30/2008

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Terry Menshek (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine M. Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

A SIXTH DEFENDANT CHARGED IN WITNESS MURDER CASE

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Boonlak Chanpheng, age 27, a Santa Rosa resident, will be arraigned on Friday, January 2, 2009, on charges of murder.  He joins five other defendants being charged with murder with special circumstances of killing a witness to prevent his testimony, committing the murder while active participants of a criminal street gang, as well as murder while engaged in kidnaping, and murder by means of lying in wait.  They are also charged with enhancements involving the use and discharge of a firearm.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua said, “We worked closely with the Sheriff’s Department in its continuing investigation of this murder.  We are committed to ensuring that justice is done in this case.”

This murder occurred on March 2, 2008, at Blind Beach, near Jenner.  The victim, Vutha Au, was a witness in a pending case in the Sonoma County court.  His brother, Terry Au, was the victim of an attempted homicide, kidnap and torture, which occurred in October 2007.  Both Vutha and Terry Au had been relocated through the California Witness Relocation program and agreed to remain out of the area; however, Vutha Au had returned to Sonoma County.

Various pre-trial hearings have been held, and a preliminary hearing for defendants Quentin Russell, Preston Khaoone, David Prak, Sarith Prak, and Tyrone Tay is currently scheduled for January 20, 2009, before The Honorable Kenneth Gnoss.  All defendants are currently being held in custody on no bail.