SACRAMENTO – Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani presented Assembly Bill 406 (AB 406) in the Assembly Local Government Committee today, and it passed with a 5-0 vote.  This bill seeks 100% reimbursement of the total costs for People v. Rivera, a high profile trial for the killing of Merced Police Officer Stephen Gray.  Testifying in support of the bill were Merced County District Attorney Larry D. Morse II, Merced County Administrative Officer Dee Tatum, Sheriff Mark Pazin and Merced County Supervisors John Pedrozo and Mike Nelson.

“I am very pleased with the vote – it was a close call”, said Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani.  “
“Earlier today, we did not have enough votes to get this bill out of committee because some members did not want to promise Merced funding before the trial was concluded.  However, during the hearing we were able to drive home the critical importance of having this legislation passed this year so that Merced would not have to cut local services in order to pay for the costs of the trial.  Current state law does not take into account the cumulative financial burden a high profile case can have on a community.”

Following a traffic stop on April 14, 2004, Rivera, shot and killed Officer Stephen Gray of the Merced Police Department after a brief pursuit on foot.  Rivera was arrested on May 2, 2004, following a two-week manhunt, and charged by the District Attorney with capital crimes.  To date, Merced County has incurred costs of nearly $852,000, and the county estimates that overall costs will exceed $1.85 million through the conclusion of the trial. 

AB 406 now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will likely be heard mid-April.