Two murder suspects released from jail

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LAKEPORT – Officials have confirmed that two women arrested this week in connection with the death of a Nice man have been released from custody.


Sheriff Rod Mitchell said Jamie Martin, 20, of Lucerne and Terri Kenney, 48, of Nice were released from the Lake County Jail Thursday, a day after the two women were arrested for the murder of Michael Eugene Fausnaugh, 38.


Still remaining in jail is Shamus Maroney, 27, who was arrested March 23 for a felony probation violation before being booked for murder along with Martin and Kenney on Wednesday.


All three had originally been scheduled for a court appearance Thursday.


Fausnaugh's body was found dumped along the west side of Highway 29 near north Lakeport on March 22.


The day before, witnesses told Lake County Sheriff's investigators that they had seen Fausnaugh – who was suffering from a “significant” head injury – along with Martin, Kenney and Maroney at Upper Lake's Middle Creek Campground.


“The case is definitely not completed,” said Mitchell, adding that his investigators are still actively working the case, which has not been submitted to the District Attorney's Office.


On Friday, Maroney's booking sheet still listed the murder charge. However, Chief Deputy District Attorney Richard Hinchcliff said Friday that no suspects have actually been formally charged in the case.


Hinchcliff said he's been in close contact with LCSO investigators but they have not yet submitted a report to his office.


“It was mutually agreed upon that the investigation should continue before anything is sent over to us to make a charging decision,” Hinchcliff added.


Mitchell wouldn't elaborate on the reasons the two women were released, nor would he speculate on other possible arrests in the case.


LCSO Lt. Cecil Brown said of the case, “We've been putting a lot of investigative hours into it.”


Those with information on the case, particularly those who were at the Middle Creek Campground March 21, are urged to contact Det. Brian Kenner at the LCSO Detective Bureau, 262-4200.


E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


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