The Press Democrat reported that a current court case was delayed because of the backlog of cases in the Coroner’s Unit at the County Morgue. The case involves a fight between two men in which one of the men suffered an injury and later died.
The physical altercation took place in the Agua Caliente area of the Sonoma Valley on the evening of August 29, 2014. Mario Zamudio Perez was pronounced dead soon thereafter at the hospital. Joshua Javier Gonzalez turned himself in soon after learning Perez died. A comprehensive investigation by the Detectives from the Violent Crimes Unit documented the event.
The autopsy is complete and further toxicology and specific tissue examination is pending. The national and professionally accepted industry standard for the submission of the finalized autopsy report from a forensic pathologist is from 90-120 days. This crime occurred only 33 days ago.
There is nothing to substantiate the headline and portions of the article which conclude that the backlog of cases is resulting in the delay of a charging decision. The autopsy report is not finished because all the necessary testing is not complete. It is as simple as that.
The cases that are currently backlogged are in no way interfering with this case. The Sheriff’s Office continues to accept responsibility for and take action toward effective and efficient resolution of the accumulation of late coroner cases.
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office is committed to the timely and thorough submission of criminal complaints to the District Attorney’s Office. We are proud of the investigative diligence of our Deputies and Detectives.
Prepared by Sergeant Cecile Focha
Media Relations / PIO
