SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday offered rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the person or persons responsible for each of the following three unsolved murder cases in California.
The following is a brief description of each crime and the reward amount offered:
* On July 16, 1975, the body of 17-year-old Donna Joann Peeples was found in a grape vineyard in Stanislaus County. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson.
* On August 31, 2005, 80-year-old Betty Elinberg was found unconscious in her home in Stanislaus County. She was assaulted while she slept and suffered severe head injuries. On May 7, 2006, she died from her injuries. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson.
* On November 26, 2007, 48-year-old Sio Meng Lai was shot to death outside of his home in Sacramento. The Governor is offering a reward in the amount of $50,000. It was requested by Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel.
Under the Governor’s Reward program, 249 rewards have been offered since 1967 and 19 have been paid. The reward process is initiated when the Governor receives a written request from the chief of the law enforcement agency with investigatory jurisdiction over the matter. This request informs the Governor that (1) those responsible for the investigation have pursued all leads and believe, in their independent judgment, that a reward will help them in their efforts, (2) the crime is one for which a reward may be offered under California law and (3) the victims’ families support the reward. The Governor’s legal affairs unit processes the request and ensures statutory compliance. The Governor makes the final determination regarding the request.
Rewards may be offered for specified crimes under the California Penal Code and subject to statutory maximums. Rewards do not expire and are only paid if the information leads to the arrest and conviction in a California court of the individual or individuals charged with the crime.
