Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 03/28/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Greg Jacobs Chief Deputy District Attorney: Ken Gnoss

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEFENDANT DARRELL YOUNGER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS TO LIFE
FOR THE 1995 MURDER OF HEATHER MOORE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that Darrell Younger was sentenced today in the Superior Court. Judge Raima Ballinger sentenced the defendant to state prison for 15 years to life. He was convicted by a jury of second degree murder on January 24, 2004. Younger was originally arrested in May of 1996, for the murder of Heather Moore. Her decomposed body was found by police in the Santa Rosa apartment she shared with Younger and their two small children.

Santa Rosa Police officers found the victim in the bathroom of her apartment with a rope around her neck. Younger attempted to make it appear as though she had committed suicide by hanging herself. He was on probation at the time of the murder for a domestic violence conviction from Butte County, involving the same victim.

Younger was originally convicted of murder by a Sonoma County jury in October 1997. That conviction was later overturned by the Appellate Court for a jury instruction error.

At today’s sentencing hearing, Christine and Jesse Moore, the parents of the victim, addressed the judge with their victim impact statements.

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua stated, "I am relieved that justice has finally been served and that there will now be closure for the victim’s family after almost 9 years of continuous legal proceedings."

Chief Deputy District Attorney Ken Gnoss was the trial prosecutor on this case. He was assisted by Deputy District Attorney Kathleen Knotts and District Attorney Investigator Roz Eliaser.