Grand jurors to be appointed

Judge to pick 19, four alternates for government-probing panel

By BEE STAFF REPORTS

last updated: June 29, 2008 04:10:08 AM

A new group of government watchdogs will be appointed Wednesday when Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Donald Shaver picks 19 jurors and four alternates to serve on the 2008-09 civil grand jury.

The panel investigates complaints about government agencies and issues reports on its findings. Recommendations are not binding, but government agencies must respond in writing. Members serve one-year terms.

People who are chosen will participate in an orientation in Modesto, followed by a two-day training session in Sacramento sponsored by the California Grand Jury Association.

Two members of the panel -- Nancy Goodman and Elizabeth Vencill, both of Modesto -- will be holdovers from last year.

The others will be chosen at random from a group of 30 prospective jurors who were picked after interviews with 54 applicants.

According to the court:

Seventeen prospective grand jurors are from Modesto: Richard T. Baroni, Ellen Bently, Mike Casares, Russell L. Coffee, Charles M. deLaire, Michael Erat, Vivian M. Fauria, Eloise F. Fernandez, Angelo J. Hillas, Jerry J. Jackman, Warren A. Kennedy, Robert G. McManus, Theresa H. Potts, Sharon D. Severe, Diane A. Sol, Charles D. Stark and Nancy P. Webber.

Three prospective grand jurors are from Ceres: Timothy R. Hankins, Enrique E. Perez and Magdalena Robles.

Five prospective grand jurors are from Oakdale: Catherine S. Atkinson, Samuel L. Godfrey, Bob L. Guthrie, Anthony W. Smith and Paul R. Troop.

And the final five prospective grand jurors are: Frederick J. Mantz of Hughson, Elsie T. Lujan of Patterson, Bill L. Axtell of Riverbank, Bobby G. Phillips of Turlock and Rebecca A. Smith of Waterford.

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