Sheriff’s Aides Assail Him for Actions in Salcido Case

Sheriff Dick Michaelsen is being criticized by some members of his staff for his handling of the Ramon Salcido case, including charges that he may have aided the suspected mass killer’s defense, according to a published report.

The accusations are made in a letter drafted and approved by about 80% of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Department’s management staff and a small number of deputies, the Santa Rosa Press Democrat reported.

The letter is scheduled to be considered by the executive board of the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Employees Assn. on May 18.

Among other things, the letter said Michaelsen’s public statements contributed to hysteria in the community, violated basic investigatory practices and may have aided the defense by lending credence to the proposition that Salcido is insane.

The letter said “a series of behaviors” by the sheriff were “inappropriate, irresponsible and unprofessional.”

The letter attacked Michaelsen’s announcement at a news conference that two of the victims, both of whom were Salcido’s sisters-in-law, had been sexually assaulted.

“Other than some vague physical circumstances at the crime scene, there existed no proof” of sexual assault, the letter charged.

The letter says that Michaelsen’s announcement violated “rudimentary police investigative practices” by releasing information that only the killer was likely to know.

Further comments during press conferences by Michaelsen that the suspected slayer must have been “insane” and “psychotic” caused resentment among department members.

“He’s helping build their defense,” one law official told the Press Democrat.

The official’s opinion is reflected in the draft letter.

“The term(s) psychotic and insane have specific psychiatric and legal meanings. Sheriff Michaelsen is not a psychologist or psychiatrist and is not in any position to offer an authoritative opinion as to the psychological state of suspects.”

Salcido, 28, is charged with seven counts of murder and three counts of attempted murder. He fled but was captured in his native Mexico and brought back to Santa Rosa.