News & Columns > G.T. Houts > Judge Dismisses Extortion Charge (Update 13)

Judge Dismisses Extortion Charge (Update 13)

Three Trials of Former Deputy Ended in Mistrials

By G.T. Houts
Saturday, October 17, 2009

Update 13 - Saturday 5:23 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Judge Duke Rouse has dismissed the extortion count against former San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31.

After three trials ended in mistrials, a motion by Laurent's attorney — Michael Schwartz — to dismiss the charges relating to a reported attempt by Laurent to obtain $80,000 and a new truck from a Twin Peaks man, was accepted by the court and Deputy District Attorney William Lee.

Ray Carr Green, 46, a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, was allegedly told a drug case would not appear on his records in return for the truck and money. Schwartz argued Laurent was actually trying to build a drug and bribery case against Green.

San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Headquarters (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

Sheriff's Department spokesperson Cindy Beavers told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net that Laurent had ended his employment with the Sheriff's Department before his first trial.

"I just do see any way his status with the department would change," Beavers stated before explaining that because it was a personnel matter there would be no further comment from the department.

Update 12

San Bernardino, CA - The scheduled dismissal hearing in the alleged extortion attempt by former San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31, is set for 8:30 a.m. today, October 16.

Last month, a similar hearing was scheduled but the District Attorney's office had not taken a position on the possible dismissal so the hearing was placed on today's court calendar in Department S-15.

The former deputy sheriff has been accused of trying to extort money and vehicles from 46-year-old Ray Carr Green, in exchange for an early release from parole and informant status. The alleged extortion attempt occurred in late 2007 and early 2008.

Update 11

San Bernardino, CA - A dismissal hearing in the alleged extortion attempt by former San Bernardino County Sheriff's Deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31, has been delayed until Friday, October 16.

"We were unable to determine exactly what was going to happen during today's hearing," Deputy District Attorney William Lee told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. "No position was taken today so we'll come back October 16 at 8:30 a.m. in Department S-15."

The District Attorney's office has not taken a position on a motion by defense attorney Michael Schwartz to dismiss the extortion case against his client.

Update 10 - Wednesday 3:45 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - A motion to dismiss the extortion charge against a former Twin Peaks deputy will be held in Department S-15 today, September 30, at 8:30 a.m.

The San Bernardino County Superior Courthouse in San Bernardino was built in 1926. (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

John Thomas Laurent, 31, has been tried three times on the extortion charges with each trail ending in a mistrial.

Last week, a jury deadlocked 8-4 in favor of convicting the former officer but eventually told Judge Duke Rouse they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Laurent is accused of trying to extort money and vehicles from Ray Carr Green, 46, in exchange for an early release from parole and informant status. The alleged extortion attempt occurred in late 2007 and early 2008.

Update 9 - Thursday 5:45 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - The third extortion trial of former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31, has abruptly ended with a deadlocked jury. A dismissal hearing has been set for Wednesday.

The jury resumed deliberations yesterday morning at 9:05 a.m. on the 10th day of Laurent's trial. A series of questions from the jury were submitted to the court before the jury returned to Department S-15A shortly after 10:30 a.m.

The jury foreman informed Judge Duke Rouse that the jury was deadlocked at 10:46 a.m. The jury's vote was not announced.

Two minutes later, Judge Rouse thanked the jurors for their service and they were dismissed.

A motion to dismiss the extortion charge against the former Twin Peaks deputy will be held in Department S-15 on Wednesday, September 30, at 8:30 a.m.

Mistrials were declared in the first two attempts to secure a conviction of the former officer.

Update 8 - Wednesday 4:05 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Jurors in the extortion trial for former deputy sheriff John Thomas Laurent, 31, failed to reach a verdict Monday. The trial resumes today, September 23, at 9 a.m.

Monday's deliberations started at 9:20 a.m. and recessed at 3 p.m. The jury got the case last Thursday with the first deliberations on Friday.

Update 7 - Monday 3:54 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Jury deliberations in the extortion trial of former San Bernardino County Sheriff's deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31, will resume today at 9 a.m.

Friday, jurors began their deliberations at 9:05 a.m., the 9th day of the trial, and recessed until today, September 21, at 9 a.m. shortly after noon.

The jury was admonished not to discuss the case over the weekend.

Update 6 - Friday 6:10 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - The fate of a former San Bernardino County Sheriff charged with extortion is now in the hands of the jury. Deliberations are set to begin at 9 a.m. today.

The jury in the case against John Thomas Laurent, 31, got final instructions from Judge Duke Rouse at 4:14 p.m. yesterday after defense attorney Michael Schwartz presented his closing arguments.

Deputy District Attorney William Lee presented the rebuttal on behalf of the prosecution and at 4:18 p.m., bailiff Anthony Cimino was sworn and the jury admonished before retiring until 9 a.m. today.

Update 5 - Thursday 5:03 p.m.

San Bernardino, CA - The San Bernardino County Superior Court Jury in the retrial of John Thomas Laurent, 31, a former deputy sheriff accused of one felony count of extortion, received the case at 4:20 p.m. today.

Deputy District Attorney William Lee told RIMOFTHEWORLD.net the case was wrapped up about 4 p.m. with the jury set to decide the fate of Laurent starting tomorrow morning.

The bailiff Anthony Cimino directed the jury to return by 9 a.m. tomorrow, September 18, for the eighth day of the trial.

Update 4 - Thursday 3:41 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - Day seven of the extortion trial of former deputy John Thomas Laurent, 31, is scheduled to continue today, September 17, at 1:30 p.m. in San Bernardino County Superior Court. Closing arguments are now underway.

All courts are closed Wednesday.

Laurent's third trial heard testimony from several law enforcement officials Tuesday including detective John Gaffney and Sergeant William Browne.

At 1:34 p.m. Tuesday the people rested their case, subject to admission of exhibits, and at 2:06 p.m. the defense rested its case.

Judge Duke Rouse gave the jury its instructions starting at 2:19 p.m. with closing arguments by the people starting at 2:47 p.m. A recess was declared at 3:45 p.m. and a hearing regarding exhibits was held outside the presence of the jury.

A recess was declared at 3:53 p.m. with the jury trial continued until today in Department S-15A at 1:30 p.m.

Update 3

San Bernardino, CA - Day five of the San Bernardino County Superior Court retrial of John Thomas Laurent, 31, a former deputy sheriff accused of one felony count of extortion, is scheduled for today, September 14, at 8:30 a.m.

On Friday, people's witness Ray Carr Green resumed his testimony interrupted by several off-record meetings with Judge Duke D. Rouse. When he concluded his testimony he was excused, but subject to recall.

Other witnesses on Friday included Robert Broderick, Jamie Crispin and Matthew Mayer who were sworn and entered testimony.

The court provided jurors with a tentative trial schedule and after admonishing the jury, Judge Rouse adjourned the trial until today, September 14.

Update 2

San Bernardino, CA - Judge Duke Rouse will call the retrial of John Thomas Laurent, 31, a former deputy sheriff accused of extortion, back into session today after a one day continuance.

The proceedings will resume at 9:30 a.m. in San Bernardino County Superior Court Department S-15A.

The former Twin Peaks deputy is accused of trying to extort money and vehicles from Ray Carr Green, 46, in exchange for an early release from parole and informant status. Two previous trials have ended in mistrials.

On Wednesday, people's witness Green resumed his testimony for the second day and he will be back on the stand this morning.

At the end of Wednesday's proceedings, Judge Rouse ordered Laurent to be present today and directed Green to return at 9 a.m. Laurent is free on his own recognizance.

Update - Wednesday 5:30 a.m.

San Bernardino, CA - The retrial of John Thomas Laurent, 31, a former deputy sheriff accused of one felony count of extortion, continues today in San Bernardino County Superior Court.

Yesterday, jury selection was completed and opening arguments were heard before Judge Duke D. Rouse starting at 9:03 a.m. and ended at 3:51 p.m. with people's witness Ray Carr Green on the stand. Green will return to testify again today after spending over an hour on the stand yesterday.

Laurent is charged with attempting to extort vehicles and cash from Green in late 2007 and early 2008.

Court will reconvene at 1:30 p.m. today in Department S-15A.

Two previous trials have ended in mistrials.

Original Story

San Bernardino, CA - Jury selection resumes today at 9:30 a.m. in the retrial of John Thomas Laurent, 31, a former deputy sheriff accused of one felony count of extortion. The trial is being held in Department S-15A.

Laurent is accused of trying to extort money and vehicles from Ray Carr Green, 46, in exchange for an early release from parole and informant status. Green, a resident of Twin Peaks, is a member of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and contends the attempted extortion took place in late 2007 and early 2008.

Last Tuesday, September 1, voir dire began as members of the jury pool were questioned by attorneys. Voir dire is the process by which attorneys select jurors to hear a case and allows a certain number of dismissals by the prosecution and defense teams.

However, a busy court calendar prevented the selection of jurors in Laurent's third trial to continue until today.

PREVIOUS TRIALS

A mistrial was declared in the first trial on Tuesday, July 7, when a law enforcement witness testified about the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department's internal investigation that led to Laurent's dismissal.

Laurent's employment with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department ended in July 2008.

On Monday, July 20, the jury in Laurent's second extortion trial reached an impasse and another mistrial was declared.

The foreperson of the jury in that trial explained to Judge Brian McCarville that the jury was unable to reach a verdict and was deadlocked at 11-1. The court did not release which way the jury voted, guilty or not guilty.

Judge McCarville then polled the jurors individually before declaring the second mistrial.