CA Attorney General Looking into Boat Crash Case

California Attorney General Jerry Brown's Facebook page has been bombarded by people concerned about the Lake County Fatal Boat Crash case. These are not anonymous commenters, but people who usually provide their real names and photographs. They write that they're concerned the wrong man is being charged, a question the I-Team first raised nearly two years ago.

Russell Perdock was the number two official in the Lake County Sheriff's Office when he drove his power boat a reported 40-50 mph at night into the rear of a sailboat, killing Lynn Thornton of Willows. Perdock was not charged in the death nor with any infraction connected to the accident. The man who happened to be steering the sailboat is facing trial for manslaughter and boating under the influence.

This afternoon, Jerry Brown finally responded to the posts: "Re: the Lake County comments on my wall -- I’m talking to the DA and I’m looking into it. There’s conflicting claims – the preliminary hearing transcript is voluminous." The I-Team contacted Brown's press officer late today who confirmed Jerry Brown himself writes those messages on his Facebook page, and yes, "the message speaks for itself". Brown is talking to Lake County District Attorney Jon Hopkins about the complaints, in advance of a hearing one week from today. The defense is asking the judge to recuse the prosecutor from the case, citing close ties between Perdock and the DA's Office (ties we've revealed in past stories and blogs). The AG's Office will be filing an opinion for the hearing, and will attend.

Perdock On Leave from Sheriff's Dept.

This comes on the same day that the ABC 7 I-Team has confirmed Captain Russell Perdock has been placed on paid leave from the Lake County Sheriff's Department.

The announcement on Perdock's change of status came in this e-mail from Lake County Sheriff Rod Mitchell to his staff:

From: Rodney Mitchell
Monday - June 22, 2009 4:55 PM
To: All SO users (everyone)
Subject: Mandatory Reading re: Logistics Section

Ladies and gentlemen,

Effective today, (June 22, 2009) and until further notice, Captain Russ Perdock will be on approved leave. Captain Crystal Esberg will assume command of the department's Logistic's Section in Captain Perdock's absence. Any messages or other inquiries taken by reception or dispatch concerning Captain Perdock and the business of the department shall be referred to me.

Be careful.

Rodney K. Mitchell
Sheriff/Coroner/OES Director
County of Lake, CA

I asked Mitchell by phone today to describe the leave -- is it administrative? Is Perdock under investigation for something? Does it involve the boat crash case or another story the I-Team's investigating? Mitchell's answer: "It's a personnel issue ... I couldn't get into that." I asked the sheriff, besides administrative, what other types of paid leave could there be? He answered vacation, comp time, and workers compensation.

I reached Russell Perdock on his cell phone today, and asked him about his leave. He gave a six letter answer, "Bye, Dan."

Unless the State Attorney General agrees to take over the case, we'll be hearing from Perdock next week -- the defense plans on calling him to the stand as part of its motion to recuse. We'll be there and report back to you.

Comments

[For Lynn's Sake]

Jerry Brown's facebook page is something to behold.

There is an eloquent post there from Lynn Thornton's best friend, Caroll Stambuk. http://www.facebook.com/jerrybrown?v=wall&viewas=567930426

What more will it take for our law enforcement officials to do the right thing in this case?

[Adam Scott]

Get 'em Dan! All Perdock can come up with is "Bye, Dan." What a tool.

[Gina]

Woo Hoo! I want to Thank once again, all the supporters we have had through this ordeal. When we protested on June 12th, the feedback from all around was for the most part positive. We did have those few and I mean very few that said we were smattering lol. Big things come in small packages and all it took was a few to snowball it in order for the world to get a good look. Will the help of Dan and Renee and Alice and James I thank you all for contributing to this cause. Hopefully, there is light at the end of this tunnel and we can regain the trust we once had for our Officials in Lake County! I Thank You, my children Thank You and my Grandchildren Thank You! Sincerely from the bottom of my heart.
Gina Bezoni

[Gina]

I forgot to mention, and I am sorry the Sailing Community from around the world who started the Facebook Page. They found a way to help even though they dont live here locally or in Calif. I truly appreciate Paps and all your sailing buddies!

Gina Bezoni

[Vote for Perdock (to be on trial)]

In one of the local Lake County papers, there is an on-line poll being conducted as to who should be on trial: Perdock (the cop who rear-ended the sailboat), Jon Hopkins (the prosecutor), Rod Mitchell (the sheriff), Bismarck Dinius (the guy who is charged, and who happened to be at the tiller of the sailboat when Perdock rammed the sailboat from behind), or "Wow" (some weird, obnoxious blogger dude who posts in support of Perdock).

Here's a link to the poll: http://www.topix.net/forum/source/lake-county-record-bee/TO32HA6ETUKR86AO0

It's pretty funny, because the vast, vast majority of people have voted that Perdock should be on trial, and more votes have been cast for Hopkins than for Bismarck.

[Perdock, Mitchell & Hopkin's Pooper Scooper Service]

It's sure quiet tonight in the World of Pro Perdock Bloggers... And to those Pro Perdickin's who threatened the Protesters, who tried every lame insult they could muster out their pea sized Brains, everyone from the local reporter who is in bed with the Good Ol Boys.. (The one who wrote that there was less than 10 Protesters) I guess the Biittch can't count!, too Mitchell, Hopkins and the rest of the Club... How does it feel to be under the Microscope? Enjoy your time in the Spot Light, and before the Last Curtain Call... Because the Fat Lady is almost Done Singing!!

Do you folks in the Bay Area have a Good Honest Sheriff or DA that we can borrow??

[I Was There]

Posted by Vote for Perdock (to be on trial)

In one of the local Lake County papers, there is an on-line poll being conducted as to who should be on trial: Perdock (the cop who rear-ended the sailboat), Jon Hopkins (the prosecutor), Rod Mitchell (the sheriff), Bismarck Dinius (the guy who is charged, and who happened to be at the tiller of the sailboat when Perdock rammed the sailboat from behind), or "Wow" (some weird, obnoxious blogger dude who posts in support of Perdock).

Here's a link to the poll: http://www.topix.net/forum/source/lake-county-record-bee/TO32HA6ETUKR86AO0

It's pretty funny, because the vast, vast majority of people have voted that Perdock should be on trial, and more votes have been cast for Hopkins than for Bismarck.

FYI,

There is no legitimacy to this poll. Each person may vote as many times as they would like. You just have to wait 15 or 20 minutes before posting again.

Kind of skews the numbers.

[Sasha J.]

"I Was There" is Perdock's girlfriend. She accounts for all of the votes for Bismarck in the poll.

[Sasha J.]

Here's a great post over on Jerry Brown's facebook page:

Fred Schroth

Thank You for beginning to check into the Perdock murder.

Sensibility says, any boat driven 40 miles an hour up a lake in the dark must bear responsibility for that which it hits.

Excuses have been made attempting to blame the crash on inadequate lighting on the sailboat.

Is there an intended death penalty for bad lights?

Is Russ Perdock the judge jury and executioner under some warped Lake County legal system?

What if the boat(s) hit by Perdock had been a group of Girl Scouts out for an evening stargazing by canoe trip. Would that trip have been a dumb idea??

Perhaps.

Has Perdock been the legally appointed exterminator of all those in impropery or stupidly operated watercraft?

The facts are, and everyone in the policing end of the marine world will back me up on this claim, lots of people end up on unlit watercraft day ofter day and week after week and month after month and year after eyar and for a varierty of reasons.
Batteries die.
Light bulbs break.
6 hours ago ·
Switches fail.
Sometimes people on canoes and kayaks simply fail to properly plan trips
Sometimes swimmers go skinny dipping.

Russ Perdock has never been appointed judge jury and executioner for the above mentioned crimes.
In fact, the only person who could have prevented the murder of the woman that night was the fanatic driving a powerboat at 40 MPH or more.
Sure Dinius may have had a few too many that night.

However, in the absence of a maniac driving too fast in the dark, nothing would have come of Dinius drinking.
The death was casued simply and exclusively by one fool. No one in his right mind drives a craft 40 miles per hour when he has no visibility.

Russ Perdock, drove a grat big fiberglass boat with a great big knife shaped blade up a lake.

And Russ perdock killed only one person.

He might have killed more but he didn't happen to run over anybody else before he quit.

Whose behavior do you stop to save the most lives??

[lynn]

Any sailor and or experienced boater will tell you 3200-3300 rpms equates to 60mph.
If you look at the picture of the tach the needle is pointed straight up, it speaks for itself, 60 mph. That equates to 88 ft per second. It's just luck that no one else was killed that night because of Russ Perdock's actions.

Sasha
You said it best when you asked, "Whose behavior do you stop to save the most lives"?

[lenny]

"bye Dan" oh please!! Sorry dear it's just not going to go away that easy!!!

[Clara Barton]

To Perdock, Mitchell & Hopkin’s Pooper Scooper Service who asks “Do you folks in the Bay Area have a Good Honest Sheriff or DA that we can borrow??” The answer is yes!!! His name is Francisco (Frank) Rivero. He is a former SF Cop, successful businessman and current deputy in the rat hole commonly known as the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He is filing soon and already talking about rebuilding the department as it is too far gone to save. He has and will continue to fight against the unjust and corrupt good ol boys in Lake County. Watch for him next week as he has put the ol boys on front street, 900 Front Street that is.

[Just A Thought]

Here's a thought.

How about everyone for and against Russ Perdock or Dinus go into the courtroom everyday that this trial is going on and listen to all the evidence being presented to really find out the truth.

The bottom line is that Russ Perdock cause the death of Ms. Thornton by going to fast for conditions.

[Tom Wells]

Nobody with a functioning brain supports Perdock.

Perdock, not Dinius, should be on trial.

Perdock, not Dinius, should have to pay for a defense attorney, experts, and investigators to defend his sorry rear-end.

[About Time]

If all Perdock could say was "Bye Dan" then it's obvious he does NOT want to engage in any kind of interview or conversation. Why not? Because he's G-U-I-L-T-Y of reckless speed in his boat on a dark night, killing an innocent person, and he had been drinking so he is doing everything he can to save his own sorry rear end. If he were so "innocent" then why isn't he speaking out? Why did Hopkins sprint away from the reporters after the last hearing? He couldn't get away fast enough and avoided answering any questions. He and Perdock won't be so lucky on June 30th!

[Perdock Needs to Grow A Pair and Man Up!]

There will be another Protest at the Lake County Court House, June 30th @ 0900.

[YouCan'tFixStupid]

As a sailor, I can say without doubt that I have rammed many a sailboat at full sailboat speed at the start of many a regatta. Nothing worse than getting that scratch in the gelcoat.

I will gladly sail on a lake full of 100 drunk sailboats at 5 MPH over a single power boat at night doing 50 MPH. The ability for them to cause death via BUI is about the same as walking on a dock.

But wait, a dock floats. What if that unlit dock we were sitting on drinking beer last week was hit by a Lake County Deputy. Wow. How stupid does that sound? Exactly.

Boy, if that drunken iceberg didn't get in the way of the Titanic.... I knew Captain Smith made a good choice to speed up that dark evening. He was a victim of a drunk iceberg with no lights. Can you imagine?

[Nick]

There is now a Facebook page regarding this case. Over a hundred people from around the world have become fans.

The URL is long, so here is a shortened URL from bitly:

http://bit.ly/dinius

Just thought you would like to know.

[Just A Thought]

Here's a thought.

What happen to the man and his 14 year old daughter on Perdock's boat? Were they guestion?

Here's another thought.

At night you should have a lookout to help you navigate the waters. This is one of the questions being ask of Dinius. Where was Russ Perdock's lookout? And why isn't he being charge with failing to notify Perdock of the dangerous situation?

Here's something everyone should think about. I have been to Clearlake several times this year to relax and enjoy the lake. But every night there is always someone in a boat going to fast on the lake from the park in Lakeport or Konocti Vista to Nice/Lucerne. Some of those are pretty upset with this case but it doesn't seem to stop them from going over idle/5 miles an hour speed, and where is the fine Sheriff's department to cite them, I'll tell you, no where in site.

[Cliff]

What really sucks, a true victim will become emotionally and financially ruined from having to needlessly defend himself from those sworn to "serve and protect". I guess that only applies to fellow police officers and politicians.

I hope Dinus sues hell out of Lake County for the nightmare they've put him through.

[Watcher]

Frank Rivero? You're kidding right? That's your qualified candidate for sheriff? Oh my, that will be fun.

[Gina]

We are holding yet another as the Recordbee stated Smatthering protest on June 30th, 8am Lakeport Courthouse. Signs can be purchased in Clearlake on Lakeshore Dr across from Williams Jewelers in the same building as people services, ask for Bunny. She has agreed to help by charging a very minimal cost!
The first protest was held June 12th, we are in hopes that many more will join us. Jerry Brown will be there and we want to make it clear that we will no longer tolerate the good ole boy club and their manipulating actions. Its time to clean house! We want Hopkins, Mitchell and Perdock to face charges of corruption and obstruction of justice. Lynn Thornton's death is a travisty and her family and friends support us 100%. We also have the Sailing community behind us along with some LCSO ers who are fed up with Mitchell and his cover-ups!
Wont you too show us your support, blog Jerry Brown Facebook, write letters to Hopkins, Mitchell and BOS of Lake County. Thanks To All who support us!

[Francisco Rivero]

Unqualified, why? Is it because I am not one of the good old boys? Is it because I refuse to play the racism and racial profiling game? Did I report your misconduct? Is it because I don’t smile enough or shine your shoes? Watcher, come on out from behind your veil, only cowards attack from behind. See ya 01/01/11!

[Get Corrupt Cops Out of Lake County!]

Frank.. You have more support than you will ever know. Some of us had this figured out early on. You might not know it, but there are a few other Deputy's who under their breath, have given their support to us, (the smattering protesters). If you need any help.. just look up any of the "Protesters" who were threatened on the Topix Forum/Record Bee. The ones "they" thought they could scare off and shut up by publishing our names and where we live. Because if we were scared.. we wouldn't have stood on the Court House Steps, giving our names! Thank You for taking the initiative to just SAY NO to the Good Ol Boys Club! FRANK ROVERO SHERIFF, LAKE COUNTY 1/11. ITS ON!!!

[Clara Barton]

"Watcher", sounds perverted to me. Who will the ol boys send next, “molester.” The bottom line is Rivero is exceptionally suited to filter the scum that permeates the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He plans on sending Lynn Thornton’s homicide and “investigation” to the FBI. He will also establish an Office of Citizen’s Complaints and Review Board, transparency anyone?