What a difference a day makes.
The jury found all three defendants guilty on five separate counts in the People vs. Zapata, Meagher and Bailey trial this afternoon in a case that appeared dangerously close to a mistrial just 24 hours ago.
Presiding Judge Jody Burgess asked the foreman to hand the verdict to the courtroom’s deputy, who passed the paper to the court clerk to read aloud.
The jury’s verdicts were as follows:
Carlos Zapata, Count 1, battery: Not guilty.
Carlos Zapata, Count 2, disturbing the peace by fighting: Guilty
Christopher Meagher, Count 3, battery: Guilty
Christopher Meagher, Count 4, disturbing the peace by fighting: Guilty
Elizabeth Bailey, Count 5, battery: Guilty
Elizabeth Bailey, Count 6, disturbing the peace by fighting: Guilty
Judge Burgess asked the foreman to stand and confirm that the verdict was a unanimous decision. The foreman said yes, it was.
Burgess then read each defendant’s name and each corresponding count. Then Burgess asked for a show of hands from the jury to confirm they had all agreed with the decision. All 12 jurors raised their hands for each of the six counts, five of which found Zapata, Meagher and Bailey guilty of Counts 2 through 6.
The verdict for Count 1 found Zapata not guilty of battery and simple assault.
Following the reading of the verdict, Burgess thanked the jury.
“You have been extremely patient going through this process,” Burgess said. “It’s been quite some time, and I know the effort you put into this case, and I want to give you my thank you in that regard, and I know counsel and the parties feel the same way.”
He released the jury from the previous order to not discuss the case. He said that going forward, jury information would be sealed, but if the information was ever unsealed, there would be a notice and a motion filed to do so.
The jury was dismissed, and they left the courtroom.
Burgess then turned his attention to the attorneys, whom he said deserved an “A+” for their work on the trial.
With that, the defendants and attorneys left the courtroom. No comments were available from any of the attorneys as Burgess’s previous gag order remains in place until after the sentencing.
Outside the courthouse, Zapata, his attorneys, family and friends turned quickly to the right.
Zapata chastised KRCR reporter Mike Mangas for attempting to take a photo of his group, and asked to be left alone.
After being found guilty of Count 2 by jurors, Carlos Zapata exits the Shasta County Courthouse with one of his attorneys, Nathan Dondi.
Meanwhile, Meagher and Bailey exited to the left. Meagher waved off a reporter’s request for comment as the pair quickly walked away.
Judge Burgess scheduled the sentencing hearing for all three defendants tomorrow afternoon.
