Santa Rosa wife strangler admits second-degree murder

A Santa Rosa man pleaded guilty Friday to second-degree murder in the strangulation of his wife of 40 years, ending a weeklong trial before the jury had a chance to consider a verdict.

Dean Howard “Sonny” Eliason, 67, was charged with wrapping an electrical cord around the neck of Virginia Caetano, 64, in 2013. He told 911 dispatchers she provoked him by making fun of his chronic depression.

He faced a punishment of ?25 years to life in prison if convicted of first-degree murder. But after a psychiatrist failed to testify on his behalf and the judge refused to grant a mistrial, he settled the case for the lesser charge, which carries a 15-years-to-life sentence.

Judge Gary Medvigy will hand down the punishment Sept. 8.

“This was a tragic, tragic case,” District Attorney Jill Ravitch said. “We believe that the evidence supported premeditated murder. But we also believe that given the underlying facts, as well as the age of the defendant, that second-degree murder is in the interest of justice.”

Eliason was accused of killing his wife, a former Sonoma Developmental Center psych tech, in the double-wide trailer they shared at Rincon Valley Mobile Home Estates. Family members said the two had a contentious relationship that was complicated by her drug use.

Eliason, who once owned a Sonoma Valley restaurant called The Hashery, admitted the slaying in a six-minute recorded call to emergency dispatchers, police said.

Prosecutors accused him of premeditation and planning, but defense lawyers argued his mental condition prevented him from forming the necessary intent.

Witnesses testified Eliason was involuntarily held at Mills-Peninsula Medical Center in Burlingame in December 2012, about six months before the killing. He was diagnosed with a bipolar disorder with psychotic features, a psychiatric social worker testified.

His lawyers subpoenaed psychiatrist Andrew Nadell to testify, but the doctor never showed up in court. Chief Deputy Public Defender Kristine Burk said her investigators staked out Nadell’s San Francisco home for several days, but he never came out.

She asked for a mistrial, saying Nadell’s testimony was crucial to Eliason’s defense. Eliason was presumed to be seeking an acquittal based on his mental state.

“I believe a mistrial is required,” Burk said. “I’m not happy about it. But I feel I have no choice.”

Medvigy agreed Nadell was avoiding a court appearance but refused to scuttle the proceedings, saying his value as a witness was unclear. After defense lawyers announced Eliason wasn’t planning to testify, Medvigy suggested they settle the case for a plea to second-degree murder, which they did.

You can reach Staff Writer ?Paul Payne at 568-5312 or ?paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. ?On Twitter @ppayne.