Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05-06-04

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

CARJACKER TO BE COMMITTED TO STATE MENTAL HOSPITAL

Shane Lee Doeckel faces a possible lifetime commitment at a state hospital following his not guilty by reason of insanity pleas to all counts against him charged in connection with a 2003 Rohnert Park carjacking. Doeckel was charged with sixteen criminal counts, including kidnapping, carjacking, driving under the influence, assault, vehicle theft, and hit and run following his March 13, 2003 arrest.

Prosecutors alleged that the defendant stole a propane truck and drove it onto Highway 101 in Rohnert Park, where he abandoned it. He then carjacked a vehicle occupied by a woman and her 16 month old baby, weaving in and out of traffic on the freeway at speeds approaching 100 miles an hour. The woman escaped, and a UPS driver pulled her baby from the car. The defendant sideswiped a nearby vehicle, attempted to carjack another, and fought off the civilian bystanders who subdued him until officers from the California Highway Patrol, Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, and Cotati Police Department arrived. The defendant was incoherent at the scene and believed he was on a mission for the FBI.

Doeckel was examined by a forensic psychologist and two psychiatrists. The psychologist and one psychiatrist concluded that the defendant suffered from bipolar disorder. It was also noted that the defendant had a history of substance abuse. Both also agreed that the defendant did not know or understand the nature, quality or wrongfulness of his actions at the time the crimes were committed. It was concluded that Mr. Doeckel was legally insane at the time. In a court trial on the issue of Doeckel’s sanity, Superior Court Judge Robert Dale reviewed the three forensic reports and rendered a verdict finding the defendant not guilty by reason of insanity.

Doeckel can potentially be committed to the state mental hospital for the remainder of his life. He may, however, be released earlier if it can be established that his sanity has been restored and he is no longer a danger to the community.