FROM: 
Karyn Sinunu, Assistant District Attorney   CONTACT PERSON:
Cameron Bowman, Deputy District Attorney
Major Case Unit
(408) 792 –2802       For Release on December 18, 2003   PLEA ENTERED IN “CREEK TRAIL” KILLING   Defendant Sean Viehweg entered a plea today to a felony violation of Penal Code section 192(1) (Voluntary Manslaughter) for the killing of Russell Jordan. He will be sentenced to six years in state prison. Six years is the maximum possible sentence for a voluntary manslaughter committed in 1982.   The decision to settle the case was made after an exhaustive investigation conducted by the Los Gatos Police Department.  The decision was made due to:  
  1. The age of the case made definitive analysis of the crime scene impossible.
  2. The deteriorated condition of Russell Jordan’s remains made it impossible to determine the exact cause of his death.
  3. Despite an extensive search, no eyewitnesses to the crime were ever located.
  4. Additional investigation conducted by the Los Gatos Police Department also supported the plea.
Sentencing will be held on January 20, 2004 before the Honorable Ronald T. Lisk, Department 35 of the Superior Court.    

©2023 County of Santa Clara. All rights reserved.