The State - News from May 7, 1987

Gerald Gilmore, a 53-year-old Sacramento contractor whose cause sparked 9,000 citizen’s to sign a petition supporting unconditional probation, has been placed on three years’ probation for killing a fleeing burglary suspect last July 5. Gilmore said later that he will appeal his felony conviction for involuntary manslaughter. “I am not an outlaw,” Gilmore told reporters. “How many of (you) who are upright citizens would appreciate being a convicted felon for the rest of their lives?” Superior Court Judge John Boskovich ruled there were “unusual circumstances” surrounding the death of burglary suspect Ronald Schmidt, who was struck by a ricocheting bullet fired by Gilmore after Schmidt tried to break into Gilmore’s construction business. “There is nothing to indicate this defendant is a danger to others,” the judge said. Gilmore was also ordered to complete 150 hours of community service and pay $400 in restitution. The maximum term Gilmore could have received was six years in prison.