bcjack
03-23-2007, 05:00 PM
Wounded man facing attempted murder
By Samantha Yale/Staff Writer
A Santa Maria man who was shot Saturday after he allegedly tried to take a police officer's gun during a scuffle is set to be formally charged Friday with attempted murder and a slew of other counts.
Esrom Madrid, 28, was listed in serious but stable condition Monday at Marian Medical Center. Depending on his condition Friday, the arraignment could be held in his hospital room.
If he is not physically capable of taking part in an arraignment Friday, the hearing date will be pushed back, said Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen.
“I would be shocked if he showed up (in court) on Friday,” Bramsen said.
Madrid allegedly grabbed the holstered gun of Santa Maria police Officer Jesse Medina Magana Saturday morning in the 400 block of West Park Street as police tried to restrain him.
After responding to a call that Madrid had assaulted his girlfriend, police initially used long-range Taser guns to try to subdue him, but Madrid reportedly pulled the electrically charged darts off his body.
When Madrid grabbed Magana's gun, Officer Cassandra Stowasser shot him once in the chest at point-blank range, police said.
Also named in the court complaint against Madrid is a third SMPD officer, Michael Wheeler, who became involved in the situation although he arrived after the other two officers, Bramsen said.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, which follows Santa Maria Police Department protocol whenever a local officer is involved in a shooting.
Stowasser has been placed on paid administrative leave until an internal investigation is complete, also following SMPD policy.
Madrid was charged Tuesday by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office with the attempted murder of Santa Maria police officers Stowasser, Magana and Wheeler, resisting an executive officer, attempted firearm removal, and battery with injury on a peace officer.
The counts of attempted firearm removal and battery with injury on a peace officer were alleged to involve only Magana.
In connection with a separate crime two days earlier, Madrid was also charged with carjacking and the special allegation that he used a deadly weapon in commission of the carjacking.
Madrid allegedly brandished a knife March 15 at Santa Maria resident Salvador Dominguez at Orchard Street and Western Avenue and stole his 2000 Mercedes Benz.
Bramsen said it could be argued that Madrid so forcefully avoided being taken into custody because he had committed the carjacking.
All Madrid's charges are felonies and are alleged to be gang-related.
In addition, the district attorney's office charged Madrid with a special allegation that he committed a new felony within five years of serving time in prison. Madrid was imprisoned for a 2004 conviction in San Bernardino County of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old.
Madrid was also charged in Santa Barbara County in 2003 with felony drug counts and in 2002 with misdemeanor disturbing the peace.
Madrid has a lengthy criminal record, police said.
A woman who answered the telephone Wednesday at the office of Madrid's attorney, Mark Powers, said he is not ready to make any comment on the case.
Samantha Yale can be reached at 739-2159 or syale@santamariatimes.com (syale@santamariatimes.com).
March 22, 2007
By Samantha Yale/Staff Writer
A Santa Maria man who was shot Saturday after he allegedly tried to take a police officer's gun during a scuffle is set to be formally charged Friday with attempted murder and a slew of other counts.
Esrom Madrid, 28, was listed in serious but stable condition Monday at Marian Medical Center. Depending on his condition Friday, the arraignment could be held in his hospital room.
If he is not physically capable of taking part in an arraignment Friday, the hearing date will be pushed back, said Deputy District Attorney Ann Bramsen.
“I would be shocked if he showed up (in court) on Friday,” Bramsen said.
Madrid allegedly grabbed the holstered gun of Santa Maria police Officer Jesse Medina Magana Saturday morning in the 400 block of West Park Street as police tried to restrain him.
After responding to a call that Madrid had assaulted his girlfriend, police initially used long-range Taser guns to try to subdue him, but Madrid reportedly pulled the electrically charged darts off his body.
When Madrid grabbed Magana's gun, Officer Cassandra Stowasser shot him once in the chest at point-blank range, police said.
Also named in the court complaint against Madrid is a third SMPD officer, Michael Wheeler, who became involved in the situation although he arrived after the other two officers, Bramsen said.
The Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department is investigating the incident, which follows Santa Maria Police Department protocol whenever a local officer is involved in a shooting.
Stowasser has been placed on paid administrative leave until an internal investigation is complete, also following SMPD policy.
Madrid was charged Tuesday by the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office with the attempted murder of Santa Maria police officers Stowasser, Magana and Wheeler, resisting an executive officer, attempted firearm removal, and battery with injury on a peace officer.
The counts of attempted firearm removal and battery with injury on a peace officer were alleged to involve only Magana.
In connection with a separate crime two days earlier, Madrid was also charged with carjacking and the special allegation that he used a deadly weapon in commission of the carjacking.
Madrid allegedly brandished a knife March 15 at Santa Maria resident Salvador Dominguez at Orchard Street and Western Avenue and stole his 2000 Mercedes Benz.
Bramsen said it could be argued that Madrid so forcefully avoided being taken into custody because he had committed the carjacking.
All Madrid's charges are felonies and are alleged to be gang-related.
In addition, the district attorney's office charged Madrid with a special allegation that he committed a new felony within five years of serving time in prison. Madrid was imprisoned for a 2004 conviction in San Bernardino County of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person under 16 years old.
Madrid was also charged in Santa Barbara County in 2003 with felony drug counts and in 2002 with misdemeanor disturbing the peace.
Madrid has a lengthy criminal record, police said.
A woman who answered the telephone Wednesday at the office of Madrid's attorney, Mark Powers, said he is not ready to make any comment on the case.
Samantha Yale can be reached at 739-2159 or syale@santamariatimes.com (syale@santamariatimes.com).
March 22, 2007