Man Delays Plea To Involuntary Manslaughter At Graton Casino

SANTA ROSA, CA – A Lake County man was arraigned this morning in Sonoma County Superior Court for the involuntary manslaughter of a Santa Rosa man at the Graton Resort & Casino near Rohnert Park earlier this month.

James Morgan Lewis Jr., 44, of Hidden Valley Lake, delayed entering a plea until Oct. 16 on charges that also include battery causing serious bodily injury and assault causing great bodily injury, brain injury or paralysis.

Dondiego Hermilo Andrade, 55, known as "Milo," a custodian at Santa Rosa Junior College, died three days after the confrontation that occurred outside the casino around 11:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.

The victim's relatives said they've lost their "rock of the family," and have launched an online fundraiser to help with expenses.

"He touched the soul of everyone he met and came across and will be sorely missed. He was an incredible giving man - of his time, generosity, heart and humanity," states the Helping the Andrade Family Go Fund Me campaign.

According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, Andrade was with several men at the casino when an argument between the men and Lewis occurred after the men's Honda SUV door struck Lewis' truck.
During the argument, Lewis' girlfriend allegedly was pushed to the ground and Lewis was punched in the face, sheriff's officials said.

Lewis and his girlfriend did not request prosecution for the assault because they were not sure which man assaulted them, sheriff's Sgt. Brandon Cutting said.

Deputies who responded to the incident left the scene, but returned 10 minutes later regarding another altercation, Cutting said.

Deputies learned Lewis saw Andrade, one of the men he believed was involved in the earlier assault, and shoved him backwards, causing Andrade to fall and hit his head, Cutting said.

Andrade was unresponsive and unconscious and was taken to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital in critical condition, according to Cutting.

Lewis initially was arrested for felony assault causing great bodily injury and was booked into Sonoma County Jail. He was released after posting a $35,000 bond, Cutting said.

After Andrade died, Lewis surrendered to the sheriff's office and was arrested for involuntary manslaughter and assault. He posted $50,00 bail and was released from jail. Charges were filed against him Monday.

Members of Andrade's family said this morning that he was employed for 30 years as a custodian at SRJC and also worked at the Alvarado Street Bakery. The fundraiser page noted he was the sole supporter of his family.

"We want everyone to know my dad was so kind and his heart was so pure. He didn't have a violent bone in his body. He didn't deserve this, and now he's taken away because of a door ding," his daughter Teresa Andrade said.

Andrade was caring for his ill wife and mother, his daughters said after the arraignment. "We just want justice," Teresa Andrade said.

To view the Go Fund Me for Andrade family, follow this link.

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• Man Dies From Injuries In Graton Casino Parking-Lot Brawl
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--Bay City News contributed to this report/Side-by-side images: James Morgan Lewis Jr. (left); Dondiego Hermilo Andrade (right). Lewis photo via Sonoma Sheriff. Andrade's family photo courtesy of GoFundMe.