Charles Wendell Holmes found guilty of DUI; prosecutors provided evidence that he was driving under the influence of meth and marijuana

A Mendocino County Superior Court jury returned during the noon hour today from its deliberations to announce its guilty verdict and a special finding against a DUI defendant.

After approximately 90 minutes of deliberations, the jury found Charles Wendell Holmes, age 49, of Fort Bragg, guilty of unlawfully driving a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs causing bodily injury to another, a felony. The available evidence was the defendant was driving under the influence of methamphetamine and marijuana.

The jury also found true a special allegation that more than one person was injured during the defendant's unlawful driving. After the jury was thanked and excused the court found true a separate special allegation that the defendant had previously served a prior prison term and had not stayed free of custody and conviction for more than five years.

Formal sentencing will take place this coming Monday, May 14th, at 9:30 in the morning in the Ten Mile division of the Superior Court. Any person interested in this case and/or this defendant is welcome to attend that sentencing hearing.

The prosecutor who presented the People's evidence at trial to the jury was Deputy District Attorney Tom Geddes.  The investigating law enforcement agencies were the California Highway Patrol and the Department of Justice forensic toxicology laboratory.  Retired Superior Court Judge Richard P. Kalustian was called into to ably serve as the trial judge.