Dinius Trial to Start May 19

Carol Stambuk has never blamed Bismarck Dinius for the 2006 death of her best friend, Lynn Thornton. "He’s such a sweetheart and we’ve all supported him since Day One," she told us yesterday. "We all know who caused Lynn’s death."

The person Carol’s referring to is Russell Perdock, the off-duty Sheriff’s Deputy who slammed his speedboat into the sailboat on which Thornton and Dinius were guests. The "we all" she refers to are Lynn Thornton’s immediate family, including her brothers and son, all of whom have written letters supporting Bismarck to Judge Richard Martin who is presiding over the manslaughter trial against Dinius — slated to start May 19 — as well as State Attorney General Jerry Brown. "We want to make sure this misjustice gets as much attention as possible," she said. To that end, Carol envisions a demonstration of some kind but is at a loss how to organize it. "I certainly don’t want to do anything to get in trouble in Lake County!" she said. If you have a suggestion, or would like to lend your support by attending the trial, email Carol through us.

On Friday, a Lake County Superior Court will decide whether or not to implement a gag order on the trial, as requested by the Lake County District Attorney’s Office. The irony is that D.A. Jon E. Hopkins was quite the blabbermouth in the early stages of this ridiculous case against Dinius and got caught in a number of discrepancies in an interview with Channel 7’s Dan Noyes. In any other part of the country, we’d be surprised if the gag order was approved, but it seems that all bets are off in Lake County.