A Santa Barbara County Superior Court jury found 24-year-old Ashley Johnigan—the woman accused of causing the 2008 crash that claimed the life of District Attorney investigator Laura Cleaves—guilty of second-degree murder and driving under the influence.
Johnigan’s sentencing is set for Oct. 15. She faces 15 years to life in prison, according to officials at the California Attorney General’s office, which prosecuted the case.
A gag order has since been issued preventing people involved with the case or the District Attorney’s office from speaking to the media. However, it hasn’t stopped people from talking about Cleaves’ character.
“Can I say that Laura worked here and was a wonderful person, and that we love and miss her?” said Dave Saunders, an investigator with the case. “Yes.”
This article appears in Sep 24 – Oct 1, 2009.