Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 12/22/06

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Christine Cook

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

Gang Member Convicted Of First Degree Murder

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that a Sonoma County jury has convicted Andrew Dale Powers of First Degree Murder in the torture death of Darin James Bond on December 19, 2003.

The jury also found three special circumstances to be true: that the murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture; that the murder was committed during the commission of a burglary; and that the murder was committed during the commission of a robbery. The jury further found to be true that Powers committed the murder in association with a criminal street gang with the intent to promote, further and assist in criminal conduct by gang members. He was also found guilty of the offenses of burglary and robbery.

The trial commenced on November 20, 2006, and the jury heard closing arguments yesterday before retiring to deliberate. The jury deliberated for less than one day before returning the guilty verdicts.

The trial was conducted before Superior Court Judge Lawrence G. Antolini, who will sentence Powers on February 14, 2007. Because the jury found the special circumstances to be true, Powers faces life in prison without parole.

Deputy District Attorney Barry McBride was the prosecutor on the case. He was assisted by District Attorney Investigator Brian Davis, Legal Secretary Jennifer Zunino, Legal Assistant Dava Kohlman, and Information Specialist John Magsamen. Detective Vance Eaton of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department was the lead investigator.