CALIFORNIA IN BRIEF : SANTA ROSA : Man Arrested in Double Slaying

An 18-year-old Penngrove man confessed that he killed two Sonoma County sheep ranchers, the Sheriff’s Department said. Sheriff Mark Ihde said Alan Edward Adams confessed after he was arrested at a Santa Rosa store where he works. The bodies of Oscar Mann, 70, and his wife, Betty, 60, were found at their Jenner ranch. They had been shot numerous times. Only Mann’s credit card was taken, investigators said. A search of Adams’ home and truck turned up the gun investigators believe was used in the slayings and items they believe were purchased with the missing credit card. Detectives learned that two young men had used Mann’s credit card to buy pornographic magazines about an hour after the killings. It was later used at other Santa Rosa stores, but the paper trail ended when a sporting good store clerk became suspicious and confiscated the card. Sheriff’s Department officials would not discuss a motive for the slayings, but Ihde said “it was not due to a grudge.” Adams was held without bail.