Shaun Gallon Pleads no Contest

Shaun Gallon today entered pleas of no contest  to all charges alleged before the Honorable Robert LaForge.  Gallon was scheduled to begin a Preliminary Hearing on Friday, June 14, 2019 but decided to move forward with his change of pleas.  The change of pleas came more than two years after Gallon was arrested for the murder of his brother, and subsequently acknowledged his responsibility for the murder of two individuals camping on a beach north of Jenner in 2004.  In exchange for his pleas to all charges, District Attorney Jill Ravitch agreed to not seek the death penalty.

It was alleged that Shaun Gallon murdered his brother Shamus in 2017 with an assault rifle. In addition, Gallon was alleged to have murdered Lindsay Cutshall, 22 and Jason Allen, 26, by shooting them while they were sleeping on the beach in 2004.  Further, Gallon was also alleged to have attempted to kill a Monte Rio man in June 2004 by using a disguised homemade explosive device, and seriously injuring a second unintended victim when it detonated.  Gallon also was charged as a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, and of possessing an illegal assault rifle.  There were multiple special allegations and enhancements alleged against Gallon, including that he murdered multiple victims, that he committed great bodily injury on those victims, that he used a firearm to inflict great bodily injury on each of his murder victims, and that he had suffered a prior “strike” conviction in 2009 for assault with a deadly weapon.  In his change of pleas, Gallon admitted all charges and enhancements.

As part of the disposition, Gallon waived any appellate rights with regard to his guilt in all matters.  At the time of his sentence he will be facing three consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole as well as additional life and determinate terms.  The only agreement entered into by the District Attorney was to not seek the death penalty as a result of his admissions.  This agreement was reached after a thorough review of the record, discussions with the family of the decedents, other victims, and review of mitigation materials presented by the defense.

District Attorney Ravitch stated, “Notwithstanding the heinous nature of the crimes, and the number of victims who fell prey to this defendant, it was necessary to weigh the evidence, the burden carried by the surviving family members, and the impact on the public safety of the community in accepting this disposition.  We hope those directly impacted by this violence, and those who have grieved over the loss of life, will find solace in the finality of this disposition.”

Gallon will be sentenced on July 15, 2019 in front of the Honorable Robert LaForge.

The case was prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Spencer Brady and Deputy District Attorney Jason Riehl and investigated by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department.