Santa Rosa Man Sentenced for Double Murder

Defendant Dalton James Carlson, 33 years old of Santa Rosa, was sentenced today by the Honorable Robert LaForge to serve 75 years-to-life in state prison for killing his wife Jessica Carlson and his father Dale Carlson after having pled no contest in February to two counts of first degree murder, and a firearm enhancement. Several family members of the victims attended this morning’s hearing.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “These murders were committed in a particularly callous and brutal fashion. Although no sentence can undo the harm done to these families, we do believe that the lengthy prison term is the right conclusion to this case.”

On February 25, 2017 the bodies of both victims were found at their respective Santa Rosa residences. Family members found Jessica Carlson in the kitchen of her home on Glenbrook Drive. She had been shot in the head, and also suffered blunt force trauma from being struck with a mallet. Friends of Dale Carlson discovered his body lying in his kitchen on Valley Center Drive. Dale was struck at least 11 times with a large mag-style flashlight and died of blunt force trauma.

The victims’ blood was located on overalls Dalton Carlson was wearing at the time of his arrest. Further, the defendant’s fingerprint was found on a beer can found in Dale Carlson’s living room.

Deputy District Attorneys Barbara Nanney and Sharmalee Rajakumaran prosecuted the case and were assisted by District Attorney Investigators Greg Wojcik and Kris Allen. Wojcik, formerly with the Santa Rosa Police Department, led the investigation.