Stanton Guilty Of Second Degree Murder

Sonora, CA — A jury has convicted 30 year old David Roy Stanton of second degree murder in the death of Jon Steven Flaherty of Wallace August 25, 2007.

Flaherty´s body was found on August 28th in the Deer Creek area near Murderers Gulch.

This was Stanton´s second trial as the first resulted in a hung jury on whether Stanton was guilty of second degree murder or voluntary manslaughter. 10 members of the jury voted for second degree murder while two held out for voluntary manslaughter. This time around 10 women and two men were polled by Defense Attorney Rick Angermiller and they all agreed on the aforementioned verdict.

Stanton´s sentencing is scheduled for July 2nd in Department Four of California Superior Court for Tuolumne County the Honorable Eleanor Provost presiding.

Given his past criminal record Prosecuting Attorney Jim Newkirk from the District Attorney´s Office commented that Stanton could be looking at 40 years behind bars with no chance for probation.

Earlier Stanton´s sister, Shawna Lea, was convicted of an accessory after the fact and a felon in possession of a firearm in the same case.

Written by Bill Johnson