from the Portola Reporter todays paper

Joshua Sebold
Staff Writer
8/10/2009

A Frenchman Lake area resident was arrested on a murder charge Friday, Aug. 7.

William McConnell, 53, was charged for allegedly shooting a man who, he reported, was trying to steal his vehicle at his home.

The name of the deceased was being withheld until the next of kin could be notified.



Plumas County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center received a 911 call about 9:30 a.m. Friday, from a man reporting that his neighbor “Bill” might have shot someone at his residence during the previous night. He also reported McConnell shot the victim while he was attempting to steal McConnell’s vehicle.

The accused allegedly waited until morning to report the incident to his neighbor, who then drove from the Dixie Valley area, where there are no phones, to Chilcoot to report the incident.

PCSO units arrived at the residence in Dixie Valley at 11 a.m. Officers arriving on the scene found the victim near McConnell’s vehicle.

They reported the victim appeared to have died from an apparent gunshot wound to the upper torso.

Officers reported McConnell was also on scene waiting for them to arrive.

An investigation followed, and McConnell was subsequently arrested on a charge of murder.

The suspect was booked into the Plumas County Correctional Center and is being held on $1 million bail.



I know who he shot now pretty much. Still surprised the cops never asked me about him or other questions. I know more about those two's history than most people. I am only talking to Brazils lawyer if he calls.
The cops had their chance and blew it.
If his hand gun wasn't registered, that could be a huge problem for him.
Brazil is highly intellegent and he could have buried the body of this guy and no one would have ever known. He must of thought he was justified in his actions to not try to cover it up.
Even if he is aquitted of this, he still will face 1-2 years in jail before he goes to trial. In California he has the right to a speedy trial 45 days.
In a murder case no lawyer can prepare in that short time. Now he is at the will of the courts.
I need to go visit him soon. They tape the jail conversations now, so that might be a mistake.
Our family had a wonderful 1st day of healing.
Very positive and loving. The stress have got all my muscles in my body sore now and my wifes. Like we ran a marathon. Strange
Thanks everyone for your support.