Murder Charges Filed in Slaying of 2 Deputies

RIVERSIDE —  Prosecutors on Tuesday filed multiple special-circumstance murder charges against Timothy Russell for his alleged ambush slaying of two Riverside County sheriff’s deputies Sunday, but had not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty.

Formal arraignment of Russell, 36, was continued to Jan. 15 because the public defender’s office had not decided who will represent him.

Russell was arrested about four hours after the two deputies--James Lehmann Jr., 40, and Michael P. Haugen, 33--were gunned down as they approached his house east of Cabazon, responding to a call about domestic violence.

Russell, wearing pumpkin-orange jail garb and shackled at his wrists and feet, appeared somber during his court appearance Tuesday. Fourteen uniformed deputies were scattered about the courtroom for security.

Russell spoke only one word--”yes”--when asked if he would waive his right to a prompt arraignment.

Riverside County Deputy Dist. Atty. Kevin Ruddy said his office would prosecute Russell on two counts of first-degree murder with three special circumstances--multiple killings, the killing of police officers and lying in wait.

Conviction on any one of those would result in at least life in prison without the possibility of parole, or execution if prosecutors decide to seek the death penalty.

Russell is being held without bail at the county jail in Indio instead of the facility in downtown Riverside, where many of the officers knew the slain deputies.

Funeral services for Haugen will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Harvest Christian Fellowship Church in Riverside. Services for Lehmann will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Our Lady of the Desert Catholic Church in Apple Valley, with interment to follow at Sunset Hills Cemetery in Apple Valley.

Among several trust funds established on the families’ behalf is one being handled by the Riverside Sheriff’s Assn.