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Bail Reduced for Suspect in Burglary of Deceased Sonoma County Family's Home Created by Kimberlee Sakamoto on 12/7/2009 1:59:00 PM
SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. (KRON 4/AP) – Bail is being reduced for one of two suspects who allegedly burglarized the home of a family of four killed in a weekend car crash.
While 26-year-old Michael Gutierrez’s bail remains at $500,000, his girlfriend, 29-year-old Amber True, had her bail reduced from $500,000 to $60,000.
At Monday’s bail reduction hearing in Sonoma, the judge did not say why True’s bail was changed.
Investigators believe the two targeted the house in Sonoma after learning about the deaths in media reports.
“There is no indication at all to suggest they knew the family whatsoever and no connection to Sonoma," Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett says. "Our speculation is they targeted the house because the accident was covered in newspapers, on television and the Internet."
Johnathan Maloney, his wife Susan and the couple's two young children were killed when a speeding Mini Cooper ran a red light and plowed into their minivan in southern Sonoma County.
The driver of the Mini Cooper, 19-year-old Steven Culbertson, also died of injuries.
Three days later, burglars ransacked the Maloneys' three-bedroom Sonoma house, taking jewelry, electronics and the family's 2006 silver Nissan 350z, police said.
True was arrested after a San Mateo County Sheriff's deputy found her with a credit card belonging to Susan Maloney during a traffic stop. Detectives later found Gutierrez driving the stolen, and a search of his home found more property belonging to the family.
According to Sackett, relatives still are trying to determine what was stolen.
"It's been very emotional for them," the chief said. "It's hard to fathom that they have to do through this in addition to dealing with their loss."
True and Gutierrez are facing three felonies each- suspicion of residential burglary, possession of stolen property and vehicle theft.
The district attorney says the two will not be offered a plea bargain deal. Prosecutors are pushing for the maximum sentence.
If convicted, Gutierrez faces 11 possible years in prison. True would face around eight.
The next court appearance is December 24th.
(Copyright 2009, KRON 4 and The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) 
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| 2/20/2010 10:26:29 AM
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Anonymous
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| Did you guys no that California is the highest prison rate of women in the nation! |
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| 12/9/2009 9:13:51 AM
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Not Prejudice
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| Punishment should be the same,
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| I think she get the same as his sentence, because she was older and just because she was a white girl it should not matter. These now days gets away with everything. What they need is to learned how to respect other property no matter what. Mothers are not teacher their daughters as much as trying to chase the D
ollar. In my day girl seen (positive way) and not heard. Now that I think of it were taught better. This is unexceptable. A thief is a thief. It's wrong! |
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| 12/7/2009 11:59:59 PM
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paul
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| WOMEN CAN GET A WAY WITH MURDER
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| know that in the United States, especially in The Bay Area, the judicial system is based on sexism not on the crimes committed. Judges are political vehicles for pro-women activist organizations. |
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| 12/7/2009 10:43:54 PM
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C. Hardy Hamilton
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| Don't tell us they did not know about the accident! They were opportunist preying on the unfortunate. They had plenty of help from the news media as well. You guys practically drew them a MAP! TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!!Pathetic Meth addicts have no mercy from us. Both rippers should have NO BAIL and rot! |
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