Press Release: People v. Guerrero, Christopher, 5/22/09

May 22, 2009
Bradford R. Fenocchio

District Attorney
PLACER COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

10810 Justice Center Drive, Suite 240
Roseville, California 95678

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Date: May 22, 2009

Contact:

Art Campos

Public information Officer

916-543-8076

Scott Owens

Acting Assistant District Attorney

916-543-8000

JUDGE DECLARES MISTRIAL AFTER JURY CAN’T REACH VERDICT IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY SERGEANT’S DUI CASE

A Placer County jury was unable to reach a verdict today in the trial of Christopher Dayton Guerrero, the Sacramento County sheriff’s sergeant who was prosecuted on charges of driving under the influence while off duty in 2007.

The jury deliberated for parts of three days but was deadlocked on the counts of DUI and of DUI with a blood alcohol level of.08 or higher, leading Superior Court Judge Joseph O’Flaherty to declare a mistrial.

O’Flaherty scheduled a court date of June 16 for the Placer County District Attorney’s Office to decide whether it will request a new trial.

The Guerrero case stems from a traffic stop on October 4, 2007, in which a Roseville police officer administered field sobriety tests and a preliminary screening test on a breath device that indicated the defendant was over the limit at which a person is considered legally intoxicated in California.

Using his discretion, the officer allowed Guerrero to get a ride home. Further review of the case by Roseville police and the District Attorney’s Office resulted in the DUI charges being filed.