Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 11/03/06

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 31 YEARS FOR HOMICIDE

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that 19 year old Ricky Phonesai Phachanh was sentenced to state prison for thirty-one years in the shooting death of 18 year old Jonathan Townsend. The killing occurred on November 15, 2002, in Santa Rosa. Phachanh was not arrested until July 2003 after being located in another state.

District Attorney Passalacqua stated, “This was a senseless killing that took the life of one young man and has forever changed the lives of many others.”

Phachanh was charged with murder and tried earlier this year but a Sonoma County jury could not unanimously agree on a verdict. On August 1, 2006, Phachanh pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter, admitted that he personally used a firearm in the commission of that offense and admitted that he was an active participant in a criminal street gang.

It was understood at the time of his plea that Phachanh would receive the maximum sentence permitted under the law. Superior Court Judge Rene Chouteau imposed that sentence on October 31, 2006. The judge also ordered the defendant to pay a $10,000 restitution fine and make restitution to Mr. Townsend’s family. Phachanh was fifteen years old at the time of the crime but state law permitted him to be prosecuted in adult criminal court.

Chief Deputy Spencer Brady and Deputy District Attorney Bud McMahon were the assigned prosecutors and were assisted by Santa Rosa Police Detective Mike Lazzarini.