Trial set for shooting of deputy

The man who is accused of shooting a Colusa County sheriff’s sergeant and his own grandmother in July 2008 is scheduled to go to trial Nov. 30.

Richard C. Marez, 27, has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to two counts of attempted murder and one count of assault with an automatic firearm, court records state.

The trial date was set Wednesday by Superior Court Judge John H. Tiernan, who also set a trial status hearing for Sept. 15 and and trial readiness conference for Nov. 10.

The trial is scheduled to run from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3.

Sgt. Mark Troughton was shot in the arm and Helga Marez was hit in her leg during the reported shootout with the defendant, court records state.

Investigtors reported the shooting took place after an argument between Marez and his grandmother over the use of a vehicle.

Helga Marez called the Sheriff’s Office. Troughton responded. The shootings reportedly took place just minutes after his arrival.

The original trial was delayed in September 2008, when Tiernan ruled Marez was not mentally fit to stand trial.

The defendant underwent nearly two years of treatment at Napa State Hospital and was returned to Colusa County in February.

Three pycological reports have been filed with the court leading into this trial, but the contents were not discussed Wednesday.

Marez remains in custody at the Colusa County Jail in lieu of $1 million bail.