Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 09/09/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - (707) 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY KENNETH J. GNOSS
APPOINTED TO THE SUPERIOR COURT

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that Assistant District Attorney Kenneth J. Gnoss has been appointed by Governor Schwarzenegger to become Sonoma County’s next Superior Court Judge, filling a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Laurence K. Sawyer in April.

Mr. Gnoss has been a Sonoma County prosecutor for the past 19 years. Prior to coming to Sonoma County, he was a prosecutor in Solano County for two years. He has a total of 29 years experience in the Criminal Justice System, having served as a police officer in Marin and Los Angeles Counties for eight years before enrolling in law school. Mr. Gnoss also serves as a professor for the Administration of Justice program at Santa Rosa Junior College.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, "Ken Gnoss will significantly contribute to the criminal justice system as a judicial officer. He has the highest level of integrity and experience to immediately handle the increase in violent crime that our criminal justice system is experiencing. He has been a tremendous asset to our office."

Among the notable cases in his career, Mr. Gnoss was one of two deputy district attorneys who prosecuted Ramon Salcido for mass murders committed in 1989. Most recently he prosecuted Darrell Younger for the murder of his girlfriend.

Assistant District Attorney Gnoss stated, "I have enjoyed wonderful careers in law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office. I look forward to the new challenges that will be presented to me as a judge."

Mr. Gnoss lives in Sonoma County with his wife, Jennifer, and their two daughters, Ashley and Alexandra.