News

Prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in the case of alleged double-murderer Bodhi Tree.

Humboldt County District Attorney Paul Gallegos said that, after carefully reviewing the case, he has decided not to purse capital punishment against Tree, who stands accused of gunning down two people at a house on Arcata’s Eye Street in May of last year. Gallegos said the case review assessed potentially mitigating and aggravating factors, including Tree’s criminal history and the facts of the case at hand.

Tree is scheduled to stand trial March 24 on charges that he murdered Christina Schwarz and Alan “Sunshine” Marcet, shooting both in the early-morning hours of May 18. Tree is also alleged to have shot and injured a Eureka man, Rhett August, two days earlier.

Tree has pleaded not guilty to the charges and faces 50 years to life in prison if convicted in the case. The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office is expected to announce its decision not to pursue the death penalty in the case at a hearing this afternoon. Read prior Journal coverage of the case here.