Public Defender To Represent Man Accused Of Killing Local Deputy

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — The Air Force sergeant charged with the killing of Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller will be represented by a public defender.

Steven Carrillo, 32, has been charged with 19 counts in connection with the sheriff's office has described as an ambush attack on Gutzwiller and two other officers responding to a call of a van with guns and bomb-making equipment in Ben Lomond. Gutzwiller was the only one fatally wounded, but two other officers were injured.

Carrillo is expected to enter his plea at his next arraignment hearing at 1:30 p.m. August 27.

He initially planned to hire an attorney, but later indicated he could not afford one and needed a public defender, the Santa Cruz County DA's Office said in a news release.

In a separate, independent prosecution, Carrillo is facing murder charges in the drive-by killing of Federal Protective Services officer Dave Patrick Underwood, as Bay Area News Group reported.

See more:

• Sgt. Damon Gutzwiller: A Man 'Too Beautiful To Describe'
  
• Vigil Mourns Damon Gutzwiller, Santa Cruz Deputy Killed In Ambush
• Accused Attacker Charged In Ambush On Santa Cruz Deputies
• Santa Cruz Co. Deputy Killed In Ben Lomond Shooting, Explosions
• Deputy Injured In Shooting Honored Upon Release From Hospital