San Joaquin County officials sued over mingled remains

SACRAMENTO -- The mother and sisters of a girl whom authorities think was killed more than 27 years ago by California's notorious "Speed Freak Killers" are suing San Joaquin County officials over the handling of the 16-year-old's exhumed remains.

Joan Shelley and her two surviving daughters filed a federal lawsuit in Sacramento on Monday alleging that the backhoe employed by Sheriff Steve Moore caused JoAnn Hobson's bones to be chopped up and co-mingled with those of other victims whose remains were recovered in Linden last year.

The lawsuit, first reported by The Record newspaper in Stockton, seeks unspecified damages for negligence and emotional distress.

Deputy Les Garcia says the department has not been served with the lawsuit and could not comment on it.

The sheriff has since asked the FBI to handle the search for additional victims.