Laytonville Man Convicted of Knife Attack

Press release from the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office:

A Mendocino County Superior Court on Tuesday returned a felony guilty verdict against a defendant accused in a knifing attack in Willits in early March.

Joseph Phillip Hart, 43, most recently of the Laytonville area, was found guilty of assault with a deadly weapon following a seven-day trial. The knifing occurred at a northern exit from the Willits bypass on Highway 101. The victim survived.

After the jurors were excused Tuesday, Hart formally admitted to a sentencing enhancement that alleged he had previously committed an out-of-state robbery. As a result of the prior “Strike” conviction, Hart will be ineligible for probation and will be sentenced to state prison. Any early release credits that Hart may earn while in state prison will be limited by to no more than 20 percent of his sentence. Hart faces a prison sentence of 4-8 years.

A motion by Deputy District Attorney Scott McMenomey to have the defendant’s held on no bail status because of the jury verdict was granted by presiding trial Judge Carley Dolan.
Judge Dolan scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. Sept. 18.

The investigating law enforcement agencies were the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, the California Highway Patrol, the Cahto Tribal Police Department, and the District Attorney’s investigators.