Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/18/03

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Jill Ravitch

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEFENDANT FOUND GUILTY OF MURDER

Yesterday, a Sonoma County jury returned verdicts of guilty against defendant Ollie Franklin Buckelew for the slaying of 75 year old John Frederick Leal. The two week trial was heard in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Elaine Rushing.

The victim was found unconscious by his wife in their home on March 7, 2003. Mr. Leal had been struck at least twice in the head and sustained a broken finger and defensive wounds to his arms. He died nine days later. The victim’s truck and wallet were also missing from the home.

Buckelew resided in a granny unit on the Leal property for about six weeks prior to the crimes. When he did not pay the rent owed, Mr. Leal intended to evict him from the property. Buckelew was later found to be in possession of the victim’s wallet and truck. At the trial, he denied being involved in the murder. He claimed that when he last saw the victim, Leal gave him permission to use the truck. However, witnesses testified that Buckelew had told them that he had purchased the truck.

In addition to being convicted of second degree murder, the defendant was found guilty of robbery and carjacking and in charges related to a previous incident, he was found guilty of residential burglary and the theft of a firearm. Today, in a proceeding before the judge, the defendant admitted that he served a prior prison term for a felony conviction of domestic violence.

Buckelew faces a 15 years-to-life sentence for the murder conviction and approximately twelve years and four months for the remaining counts and sentencing enhancements. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 5, 2004.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jill Ravitch, who was assisted by D.A. Investigator Tony Gillotte. Detective Spencer Crum of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department was the lead detective. Buckelew was represented by attorney Marie Case.