The State - News from June 28, 1989

The trial of Merced County Sheriff Bill Amis, who is facing a 21-count indictment for alleged malfeasance in office, is scheduled to begin Aug. 8. At a pretrial hearing for Amis, Dist. Atty. Frank Dougherty said the only way Amis can avoid the trial would be to resign. He said if Amis resigned before the trial, the charges would be dropped because the only penalty he faces upon conviction is removal from office. Amis has said he would leave office at the end of his term, which expires next year. Among the charges against Amis are accusations that he collected a $100 fee from people he appointed as special deputies.