Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/13/04

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Chief Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: Spencer Brady

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBER PLEADS TO MURDER
IN ROHNERT PARK SHOOTING

This afternoon Yai Phanchanh entered a plea of no contest to second degree murder and admitted that he personally used a firearm in the shooting death of Roeun Kloat on May 25, 2003, at Sunrise Park in the city of Rohnert Park. He will be sentenced to a term of 25 years to life in state prison.

Four other members of Phanchanh’s criminal street gang who were involved in the fight with rival gang members during the confrontation in Sunrise park, previously entered pleas and were found guilty of felony assault charges. They are scheduled to be sentenced later this week.

Phanchanh, who was sixteen years old at the time of the offense, must serve a minimum of 25 years in prison before he becomes eligible for parole. Thereafter, the Board of Prison Terms will determine whether or not he is suitable for parole. A sentencing date of August 24th has been set before Superior Court Judge Cerena Wong.

Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady was the trial prosecutor assigned to the case. Detectives William Lawrence and Jeff Justice of the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, District Attorney Investigator Tony Gillotte and District Attorney Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman assisted in the prosecution.