Life sentence sought in Carlson killing

SANDPOINT — The death penalty will not be sought against a man accused of raping and murdering a former Bonner County resident in California.

The Stockton Record reports that San Joaquin County Prosecutor Robert Himelblau is seeking life in prison without the possibility of parole for Jason Ross Gilley, who’s accused of killing Dalene Carlson in August 2011.

Carlson, 23, was reported missing by her relatives shortly after she relocated from Idaho to Stockton to attend post-secondary school. She was last seen by her friends leaving a pub with Gilley, according to published media accounts.

Carlson’s decomposing remains were discovered in a cornfield a couple of months later near Escalon. Gilley, 27, became a suspect after giving conflicting statements to investigators.

Local television station News10 reported that Gilley initially denied being with Carlson, but by the fifth account of his whereabouts he allegedly admitted having consensual sex with her, which was followed by an argument.

Surveillance camera footage showed the two together at the pub and a grocery store on the last day she was seen.

Bullet casings found at the crime scene matched an antique pistol Gilley had used around the time of Carlson’s disappearance.

Gilley is charged with first-degree murder and special circumstances of kidnapping and rape, enhancements which made him eligible for the death penalty. He pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Stockton Record report does not elaborate on the prosecution’s decision not to seek the death penalty.

Gilley’s trial is slated to start on April 8. He remains in custody.