Modesto, California – Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager announced today that Sheriff’s deputy Kari Abbey has been arrested and charged for the September 24, 2010 killing of Rita Elias. Kari Abbey was arrested on May 2, 2011 pursuant to an arrest warrant. A complaint has been filed in Stanislaus County Superior Court alleging charges of second degree murder and voluntary manslaughter. In addition, violations of Conspiracy, Embezzlement from a Government Entity, Cultivation of Marijuana, Receiving Stolen Property and Child Endangerment are also charged on the complaint. Bail has been set in the amount of $300,000. Abbey may be arraigned as early as today. Pursuant to Stanislaus County’s Officer Involved Shooting Protocol enacted in 2007, the District Attorney’s Office has completed its review of the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting of Rita Elias by off-duty sheriff’s deputy Kari Abbey. A determination has been made that the shooting was not justified. District Attorney Fladager said, “This is certainly a tragic situation. Charges have been filed following a thorough investigation. We will now seek to bring this matter to a fair and just conclusion.” There will be no further public statements about this now active criminal case. Any comments will only be made within the courtroom setting. |
