Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 06/22/06

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

HOMICIDE CHARGES DISMISSED BY PROSECUTION

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that his office has moved to dismiss charges against Corbin Easterling surrounding the death of his wife, Jennifer Jevarian, on San Pablo Bay on October 11, 2004.   Easterling was charged with murder and domestic violence offenses in a criminal complaint filed by the prosecution on November 24, 2004.

The trial commenced with pretrial motions and jury selection on May 31, 2006.  On June 5  Easterling’s attorney, Marie Case, declared a conflict of interests and the judge relieved her as counsel.  On June 8 new counsel appeared on behalf of the defendant and thereafter the trial was reset for October 24, 2006. 

The motion for dismissal came as the result of information received this week from a renowned and highly respected forensic pathologist, Dr. Brian Peterson.   He was consulted by the prosecution as a rebuttal witness in the case.

Dr. Peterson concluded that after a review of the evidence it was his opinion that he cannot rule out accidental drowning as a cause of Ms. Jevarian’s death.

Dr. Gregory Reiber, the autopsy surgeon on the case, conferred with Dr. Peterson and informed the prosecution yesterday that he could not discount Dr. Peterson’s perspective of the case. 

According to the pathologists, at this time they cannot conclusively state whether the manner of Ms. Jevarian’s death was homicidal or accidental.

Dr. Peterson stated, “This is a very challenging and frustrating case.  I understand that we’re held to a very high level of proof and in my opinion we cannot meet that level of proof in this case.”

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “Based on the recent opinions of the pathologists, currently there is insufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.”