A black Mercedes that was stopped using a bumper grappler on Aug. 16.
Douglas County Sheriff's Office
Jury selection is set to begin Tuesday in the trial of a California man accused of multiple felonies related to an August eluding case.
Fresno resident Joseph Michael Baird, 27, is facing multiple felony counts, including a habitual criminal charge that could result in a life sentence if he’s convicted.
District Judge Tom Gregory said the court clerks called 150 jurors for the case, but that they’ve received 30 responses from potential jurors who are 70 years or older and are seeking exemptions.
On Monday, prosecutor Chelsea Mazza and defense attorney Matthew Stermitz argued motions preceding the trial.
In seeking to introduce testimony in the case, Mazza put Douglas County Sheriff’s Sgt. Justin Williams on the stand to testify about what started the Aug. 16 vehicle chase.
Williams testified that deputies received a report that a black Mercedes SUV had tripped a license plate reader along Highway 395 near Bridgeport. The stolen vehicle was allegedly used in an armed robbery in Lancaster, Calif.
Mono County deputies and California Highway Patrol officers were in pursuit of the vehicle traveling north toward Douglas County at reported speeds of 80-160 mph.
He said he called the CHP dispatch to confirm the reason for the chase.
Williams and three deputies headed south in hopes of stopping the Mercedes at the state line, but because of the speed, he said they set up south of Pine Valley and deployed spike strips across the road.
He said the deputies heard the sirens coming and then saw the Mercedes cross the spike strips at an estimated 140 mph before he began pursuit. The spikes worked, but not enough to slow down the SUV, which Williams said accelerated out of sight around Ray May Way.
But at one point, the Mercedes slowed to the point where he could deploy a bumper grappler designed to connect the patrol car to the fleeing vehicle on the third try and brought the Mercedes to a stop.
Williams said Mono County and CHP officers called in the Special Weapons and Tactics team as they used a less lethal weapon to try and break the back window to see who was in the vehicle.
As it turns out Baird was the only occupant, and he was taken into custody.
Mazza is seeking to be able to tell the whole story to the jury, while Stermitz argued that Baird’s prior record would be prejudicial. He argued that it wasn’t necessary to provide details on why Baird was being chased. He said Baird’s alleged crimes in Nevada were limited to eluding, resisting and possession of a stolen vehicle.
• A Gardnerville Ranchos man is facing a mandatory prison term after he admitted to a subsequent felony DUI and attempted eluding.
Travis Paul Atchison, 34, faces a maximum of 19 years in prison, should his sentences be ordered served consecutively.
Prosecutors are recommending a 2-5 year sentence in the driving under the influence case. He is not eligible for probation or diversion.
Atchison was arrested Aug. 7 after he was spotted on Highway 395 around the same time he was supposed to be in East Fork Justice Court for a hearing.
According to court documents, he turned down Carson River Road to the Washoe Bridge and continued through Dresslerville at more than 50 mph. He stopped near Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School and had to be tracked down by a K-9.
Attorney Max Stovall asked for Atchison’s release pending his Jan. 6 sentencing date. Prosecutor Chelsea Mazza opposed his release, asking that he be held without bail. District Judge Tom Gregory agreed.
