Sonoma County prosecutors won’t seek second trial against ex-deputy

Sonoma County prosecutors Monday dismissed a case against a former deputy accused of felony assault for his on-duty actions during a Sonoma Valley arrest.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Brian Staebell said they decided not to seek a second trial against Scott Thorne after jurors deadlocked last week and the judge declared a mistrial. The jury voted 8-4 for not guilty after watching the body camera video of the violent encounter and having heated deliberations.

Thorne’s attorney argued the deputy’s actions were shaped by his training and did not rise to the level of assault. Thorne was one of three deputies who responded to a neighbor’s 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance on Sept. 24, 2016 at a Boyes Hot Springs home.

Thorne kicked in a bedroom door and encountered an uncooperative man, Fernando Del Valle, who refused to get out of bed. Thorne shot him with a Taser and beat him with a baton.

Thorne was fired within about two weeks to the incident, and prosecutors declined to file charges against Del Valle. Several weeks later Sonoma County Sheriff Steve Freitas, who has since retired, announced Thorne was under investigation for criminal assault.

-Julie Johnson