Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 08/29/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos Deputy District Attorney: William J. Brockley Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

DEFENDANT SENTENCED TO LIFE TERM FOR
THE MURDER OF SANTA ROSA TAXI DRIVER

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Eric Silk Hoaglin was sentenced on Friday, August 26, 2005, to 36 years to life for the second degree murder of Danny Newell. Sonoma County Superior Court Judge Elliott Daum pronounced judgment on Friday. Hoaglin faced a maximum term of 56 years to life in prison. On June 20, 2005, he pled no contest to second degree murder and admitted using a knife and admitted having been convicted of two prior strike convictions and two serious felony convictions.

Hoaglin murdered taxi driver Danny Newell on November 15, 2003 after a dispute occurred over the payment of the fare. Mr. Newell attempted to have Hoaglin exit the cab and was repeatedly stabbed in the process. Newell notified the dispatcher of his location, that he had been stabbed and was attempting to drive himself to the hospital for medical attention. Emergency personnel located the victim in his cab. He died on the way to the hospital.

During Friday’s sentencing hearing, several relatives of Mr. Newell addressed the court and the defendant. They described the many accomplishments the victim achieved in his lifetime and expressed how his tragic loss has affected surviving family members.

Deputy District Attorney William Brockley was the assigned prosecutor. He was assisted by Sonoma County Sheriff’s Detective Tim Duke and District Attorney Investigator Tony Gillotte.