By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | September 17, 2008 09:21
FAIRFIELD - Colleagues of slain Councilman Matt Garcia expressed mixed emotions Tuesday to news that one of the three people involved in the fatal shooting will not face a murder charge as had been previously announced.
Nicole Stewart, 33, of Fairfield was scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on charges of murder, conspiracy and felony use of a firearm, but prosecutors said she will instead face a felony charge of being an accessory after the fact to a felony.
Gene Allen Combs, 45, of Suisun City originally faced the same charges as Stewart but will now face a murder charge without the enhancement of using a firearm.
The changes means prosecutors have until Thursday to arraign the two.
Mayor Harry Price said he was 'very disappointed' to hear of the changes, saying he hoped 'the investigation would lead to more serious consequences.'
The new charges 'seem appropriate' considering the reported circumstances of the shooting, Councilman John Mraz said. Mraz added that the move 'buys time' for prosecutors to cement their case.
Garcia, 22, was fatally shot Sept. 1 outside a home on Silverado Drive in Cordelia Villages.
As authorities continue to search for alleged gunman Henry Don Williams, 32, of Fairfield, the City Council voted Tuesday night to increase the reward in the case by an additional $50,000. That brings the total reward to $150,000.
'$150,000 may cause someone to want to come forward now and lead us to the apprehension of that person,' Price said.
If the reward is not paid out by the end of 2012, the money will be put toward youth activities, said City Manager Sean Quinn.
Meanwhile, interest remains high in Garcia's council seat. As of Tuesday afternoon, 51 people had picked up applications and six had returned them.
'I am getting so many phone calls and face-to-face conversations with people who feel the need to serve now,' Price said. 'They believe in what Matt was doing. He touched so many lives.'
As of Tuesday, the applicants for the position were Amanda Downing, Andre Gardner, Tom Jurewitz, Brian Kermoade, Ruben Padilla and Mary Steiner.
Applications must be filed by 5 p.m. Friday.
Because of the large number of applicants, the council will hold a special meeting at 8 a.m. Saturday to assign a subcommittee to wade through the applications and pick a group of finalists, Quinn said.
Finalists for the position will be interviewed during a public meeting on Sept. 29 and a candidate will be selected by Sept. 30. The new councilmember will be sworn in Oct. 7.
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
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