Guerneville homicide suspect faces lesser charge

<p>A man initially suspected of participating in the recent slaying of a Guerneville man now faces a lesser charge and is out on bail.</p><p>Gary Allen Scott, 56, was returned to Sonoma County from Arizona last week, where he was arrested in connection with the death of Michael Tillman, 67.</p><p>In a Sonoma County court hearing Friday, prosecutors did not file a homicide charge but instead charged Scott with being an accessory in the case.</p><p>Bail was set at $25,000 and he was released from jail after posting a bond.</p><p>Andrew Sharkey, 35, of Great Britain remained in custody without bail on a homicide charge.</p><p>Tillman, a reclusive man who lived for years in a converted garage of a Guernville home, was strangled to death with a wire. </p><p>His body was found June 27, after Sharkey reported the death to deputies, saying he’d witnesses the man’s murder. Sharkey soon became a suspect, however, and was subsequently arrested.</p><p>Scott was located in Arizona, where he also was arrested on a homicide charge.</p><p>As well as being killed, Tillman’s truck was stolen and a substantial amount of money he kept in his home was taken. </p><p>Sharkey and Scott reportedly were involved in a medical marijuana business, according to the sheriff’s department.</p><p>Details on what Scott now is suspected of having done in connection with the case weren’t available Monday.</p><p>Sonoma County sheriff’s detectives are continuing to investigate the slaying. Sgt. Tim Duke referred questions about Scott’s change in charges to prosecutors.</p><p>That information wasn’t available from the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office Monday morning.</p><p>Scott’s attorney, Evan Zelig of Santa Rosa, declined to discuss evidence in the case. </p><p>Monday Zelig said his client had nothing to do with Tillman’s death and that if convicted of the current accessory charge, he would face a maximum of three years in state prison.</p><p>He called Scott a talented artist and sculptor who will plead not guilty at his next court hearing on July 28.</p>