Gang affiliation addressed in torture case

Off the Wire News
MCs in the News
By Katy Sweeny -- Staff reporter
Updated: 02/19/2010 09:42:02 PM PST
LAKEPORT -- The longest-tenured member of the Misfits motorcycle gang told an investigator that the two male defendants were part of the gang, the investigator testified to Friday.
Lt. David Bertocchini of the San Joaquin County District Attorney Investigations Office testified in the case against Joseph Henri Deshetres, Thomas Loyd Dudney and Cheryl Ann Reese for charges of intimidating a witness and participating in the criminal street gang, the Misfits.
Dudney, 59, of Fulton, Deshetres, 62, of Santa Rosa and Reese, 56, of Lakeport allegedly conspired in November to intimidate a witness in the attempted murder case against Dudney.
Special allegations that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang accompany the first charge. The charges with special allegations carry a life sentence.
Dudney, Joshua Isaac Wandrey of Rohnert Park and Deborah Ann James of Windsor allegedly shot, tortured and hogtied Ronald Greiner Oct. 20 at the Lakeport man's home on South Main Street behind the Record-Bee building.
Dudney and Wandrey, 35, are charged with premeditated attempted murder, aggravated mayhem, torture, home invasion robbery in concert with another, first-degree burglary, assault with a firearm, assault with a blunt force object, assault likely to produce great bodily injury, serious battery, simple mayhem and participating in the criminal street gang, the Misfits.
Three of the 11 charges carry life sentences.
Special allegations that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang, that great bodily injury was inflicted and use of a firearm accompany the charges.
James, 47, is charged with premeditated attempted murder, home invasion robbery in concert with another, first-degree burglary and participating in the criminal street gang, the Misfits. Special allegations that the crimes were committed for the benefit of a criminal street gang and a principal was armed with a firearm in commission of the offense accompany the charges. James was released on $100,000 bail Nov. 3.
Judge Richard Martin continued the preliminary hearing for Dudney, James and Wandrey to 8:30 a.m. Friday.
Judge Arthur Mann continued the intimidating a witness case against Dudney, Deshetres and Reese to 1:30 p.m. Friday in Department 3 to continue interviewing Bertocchini.
Bertocchini said the longest-tenured member of the Misfits, Manuel Charles, knew members Dudney as KTom and Deshetres as Joe Snidley.
Women associated with the Misfits used to be given patches that say "property of" but now would not likely receive anything signifying the gang unless it was given as a gift, Bertocchini said.
"A Misfit is a male," Bertocchini said. "You can't be a female to be in the Misfits."
Bertocchini said Reese said she had "no love" for the Misfits because they didn't come see her when she was sick and that after 35 years of knowing Dudney, he involves other people in his trouble.
Bertocchini testified the crimes alleged against the defendants would benefit the Misfits.
"I do believe intimidating a witness does benefit the Misfits gang," Bertocchini said. "Success allows the gang to prosper, it makes the patch carry more weight."
Bertocchini said if the Misfits brought someone close to the gang and that person informed on them they would be targeted for possible violent retribution.
He testified that stealing about 10 pounds of marijuana could also benefit the Misfits to make money off sales and to pay members' $40-a-month dues.
Bertocchini explained that 1-percent branding signifies the Misfits criminal society. He said if Dudney had carved 1 percent into the door of his cell at the Lake County Jail that the defendant likely still supports the Misfits.
"He's still so loyal to the Misfits," Bertocchini said. "He's marking his area."
Contact Katy Sweeny at kdsweeny@gmail.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
Original article...
http://www.record-bee.com/ci_14438402