Defendant: Stanley McDowall; age 67, Three Rivers resident of 40 years.

On December 23, 2005, victim R.T. had left his residence in Three Rivers, to travel to the coast to visit family for the holidays. Victim returned home the evening of December 26, only to discover that his house had been broken into, completely ransacked, and burglarized. Antiques and various other items of value had been taken, as well as misc. paperwork and the victim’s credit card.

On December 31, 2005, Tulare County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to defendant’s residence regarding an unrelated investigation. Deputies at that time identified and recovered some of victim R.T.’s stolen property from inside defendant’s residence.

Continuing the investigation, the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office discovered that the victim’s credit card was used at various stores in the Visalia area, in the hours just following the burglary. Video surveillance from a Lowes Store was retrieved and the defendant was identified in the video along with another person later identified as a co-conspirator in the burglary.

On March 01, 2006 a search warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Three Rivers. Additional stolen property belonging to victim R.T. was located, as well as many of the merchandise items purchased on victim R.T.’s credit card. Also located at defendant’s residence was stolen property belonging to several other identified victims, as well as evidence of utility services theft. Defendant was arrested and charged with various crimes including burglary.

On February 20, 2007, defendant who had decided to represent himself, proceeded to jury trial. Evidence elicited at trial showed that defendant was the mastermind behind a criminal conspiracy to burglarize victim R.T.’s residence.

On February 27, 2007, the jury convicted the defendant of all charges including conspiracy to commit residential burglary, residential burglary, and theft of utility services. Sentencing is currently set for March 27, 2007 in Department 6 of the Visalia Courthouse.

The case was investigated by Kevin Bohl of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Greenberg, of the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office Visalia Felony Crimes Unit.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney Don H. Gallian.