Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/21/05

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS DEFENDANT OF MULTIPLE SEX OFFENSES

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a Sonoma County jury returned guilty verdicts today against defendant Merhani Teklemariam Bahabla. The jury convicted Mr. Bahabla of twelve separate offenses. There were multiple sex offenses, including forcible rape and forcible sodomy committed against four women. The jury returned its verdict after one day of deliberations. The trial lasted thirteen days.

The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on December 20, 2005, before Superior Court Judge Rene Chouteau. Mr. Bahabla faces multiple life terms as a result of the convictions.

Deputy District Attorney Joan Risse was the prosecutor assigned to the case. She was assisted by Santa Rosa Police Detectives Mike Musgrove, Tamara Warner, and Brad Conners, Sergeant John Snetsinger, District Attorney Investigators Ken Pistorio and Kris Allen, Victim Advocate Miriam Gaon, Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman, and Information Specialist John Magsamen.