If you followed the Eddie Lee case on (Chiv's) blog, the resolution should not be a surprise. Former DA Paul Gallegos prosecuted the first Limmie CiCurry trial which was declared a mistrial and then Eddie Lee's trial where the Judge granted the defense motion of dismissing the case right before jury deliberations. Eddie Lee's attorney cited Penal Code 1118 as the reason.
Eddie Lee the only witness and previously the co defendant charged with murder has no reason to testify.
The loss of that case did impact this one.
◼ Curry Pleads Guilty to Voluntary Manslaughter, Will Serve 10 Years - Ryan Burns/Lost Coast Outpost 3/9/15 5pm
DA'S OFFICE PRESS RELEASE: District Attorney Maggie Fleming announced today that Limmie Greg Curry pled guilty this afternoon to voluntary manslaughter, and admitted the use of a firearm in the shooting death on February 3, 2010 of William Charles Reid.◼ UPDATED: Curry pleads guilty to voluntary manslaughter in plea deal - Will Houston/Times-Standard
The defendant agreed he would receive the maximum term of 12 years. He will serve 85% of his sentence [or 10 years, 73 days]. Formal sentencing will occur on March 23, 2015.
At a previous trial of the matter, the jury deadlocked and was unable to reach a verdict on the murder charge but found he was guilty of cultivation of marijuana.
The resolution of the case was reached following discussions with the victim’s family.
The case was investigated by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department and prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Kelly Neel.
Curry, 24, pleaded guilty this afternoon to a charge of voluntary manslaughter and stipulated to the upper term of 11 years in prison as well as admitting to a special allegation of being armed with a firearm during the commission of the crime, according to Russo. Curry faces 12 years in prison with time credits being given due to him being in custody at the county jail since February 2010, Russo said.
Curry was accused of murdering 46-year-old William “Billie” Reid of Willow Creek on Feb. 3, 2010, at a property near State Route 299 near Willow Creek while allegedly trying to rob him and take over his marijuana growing operation. Curry was then alleged to have burned Reid’s body and then buried the skeletal remains at a marijuana grow on Reid’s property. Reid’s roommate Eddie Lee was also charged as a conspirator to the murder, but was acquitted last year at the Humboldt County Superior Courthouse by Judge John T. Feeney.