Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 06/21/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards — 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Deputy Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: William J. Brockley

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEFENDANT PLEADS TO MURDER OF TAXI DRIVER

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced that Eric Silk Hoaglin pled no contest to second degree murder on Monday, June 20, 2005. In addition to the murder charge, Hoaglin also admitted two strike prior convictions, two serious felony convictions, and knife use during the murder. Judge Elliott Daum advised Hoaglin that his maximum sentence could be 56 years to life in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for August 29, 2005 at 9:30a.m in courtroom 2 of the Superior Court.

Hoaglin murdered Danny Newell (age 49) on November 15, 2003 after a dispute regarding a taxi fare. Mr. Newell, while working as a driver for a local taxi company, was dispatched to pick up Hoaglin at approximately 11:00p.m. on Trombetta Street in Santa Rosa and drove Hoaglin to a home on Bellevue. A disagreement ensued regarding payment of the fare which resulted in Hoaglin stabbing Mr. Newell numerous times. Emergency personnel responded but Newell died en route to the hospital.

Police obtained witness statements and trace evidence that implicated Hoaglin in the murder.

The case was handled by Deputy District Attorney William Brockley and Sonoma County Sheriff’s Detective Tim Duke. District Attorney Investigator Tony Gillotte also assisted in the prosecution.