Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 07/01/2008

Contact person(s):

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

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

JURY CONVICTS DEFENDANT IN ROAD RAGE DEATH

District Attorney Passalacqua announced today that Alfred Mark Fournier, 51 of Camp Meeker was found guilty by a Sonoma County jury today for his role in the death of Eric “Rick” Stern.  Mr. Stern died on July 13, 2004 while riding his motorcycle on Bohemian Highway.  Mr. Stern passed Fournier on the highway, apparently angering Fournier.  In response, Fournier passed Mr. Stern, then either stopped or slowed to a near stop in the road ahead, causing Stern to lock up his brakes, lose control, and slam into the back of Fournier’s Ford Explorer.

At trial, Fournier faced charges of Voluntary Manslaughter, Gross Vehicular Manslaughter, and Assault with a Deadly Weapon.   He was convicted of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter and Assault with a Deadly Weapon, both felony charges.  The jury was deadlocked on the Voluntary Manslaughter count.

Fournier will appear in Superior Court Department Number One before the trial judge, Honorable Elliot Daum, tomorrow at 8:30 to set a date for sentencing.  However, Fournier has also entered a plea of not guilty by insanity, which may require a second jury trial on that issue.  If a second trial is required, sentencing will be delayed.

If found to have been sane at the time of the offense, Fournier will be sentenced, facing up to 6 years in prison.  If found not guilty by insanity, he will not be sentenced to prison, but rather will be committed to a state hospital for an undetermined length of time, possibly for life.

Deputy District Attorney Anne Masterson handled the prosecution of the case.