Speak out to the Napa DA in support of just punishment for felons who steal grapes

I don't agree with this plea bargain reduction. The public should be told the reason and circumstances why it was offered and accepted.

The Honorable Mark S. Boessenecker Napa County Superior Court 1111 Third Street, Courtroom E Napa, CA Re The People v Jeffrey James Hill, Case No CR169869 Dear Judge Boessenecker, We are long-time patrons of the several Napa Valley Wineries including Del Dotto Vineyards. We have to come to know Napa Valley and the wine industry there as an example of the wholesome values that are important to our culture. It is based on hard work, ingenuity, and trust; the kind of place where you would expect a handshake to carry equal weight to a court document. We know the Del Dotto Vineyards and the Del Dotto family to be a prime example of this culture. They respected by the community and their employees for their personal generosity and high quality wine making. We have often seen them and others go above and beyond to help other California wineries succeed. We are greatly saddened to hear about the theft of grapes from the Del Dotto Vineyard by Mr. Hill, and alarmed by the ramifications that such an act has to the Del Dotto family and the wine industry at large in California. As doctors we understand the inherent trust that is essential to running a business and delivering a product, whether it be healthcare or wine. Unfortunately not everyone upholds the standards taught to us by our parents, and it is incumbent on us to send a strong message that we will not tolerate behavior such as this. We encourage you to be firm with your decision and help to restore trust in the wine industry. Sincerely, Branden Cord MD, PhD and Sheila Cord MD

This should remain a felony conviction. It should NOT be reduced to a misdemeanor.

It's sad that to read that one Crook can affect the lives of so many by committing this felony. Both monetarily and more so trust. If you commit the crime, do the time. It's sad our courts do not protect the victims.

Stealing is stealing... It effects everyone around them as well as the credibility of the region. If he did this in France; I don't think there would be much of a discussion.

Wish he gets jail time

It is sad to see, again, that criminals could "get away with murder", if I may say. When, hard working people, like the Del Dotto, will be protected ? Enough is enough. As a Vet, it makes me even madder. This is not what I fought for.

I think he deserves jail time

Agree with everyone else on this petition. The man's a thief that would require equal punishment for his crime.

Dear Your Honor, It is in my opinion, that former Vineyard Manager of Del Dotto Wines, Mr. Hill premeditated and manipulated the theft of the grapes. Mr. Hill appears to have articulately planned the theft of the highest quality grapes for his own personal profit and gain. He has pleaded guilty to the charge and should be punished to the maximum allowable of the courts. If allowed to a reduced sentence, Mr. Hill will be able to reap not only the benefit and profit from the theft but also gain notoriety as a competitor, with the stolen grapes hitting the market next year as high quality wine at a potentially lower rate. Basically advancing ones label. If someone stole the same amount of Jewels or money, would said sentencing be reduced to a misdemeanor if the jewelry or money was never found or returned? Please review and consider my personal thoughts/opinions prior to sentencing if time allows. Sincerely, Daryl Ryor

No question its a crime worth jail time.

This is a serious felony and should be treated as such.

If this were $800,000 in jewelry or cars there would be no question of whether or not this is a crime worthy of a felony conviction. By dismissing the charge of theft for the October 17 incident, the DA essentially dismissed the value of the stolen product allowing this disloyal thief to plead down to a misdemeanor. What was the problem? Were stolen grapes simply unworthy of his or her time and effort? Whatever the reason, I hope the voters of Napa County show their displeasure with their current DA at the next election.

How is good conscience can this be a misdemeanor?!? This is Grand Theft.

Even if this is a first offense, Mr Hill was fully aware of the dollar value of the theft he orchestrated. Therefore, knowingly committing a felony, he should be convicted of a felony. Pleading this down to a misdemeanor would create a sentence not fitting of the crime. It would also set a troubling precedent for future crimes of this nature in the wine industry.

Releived this was not the "Hill" from Hill Family Estates where we have a wine club membership.

Theft is theft, and this is not either a petty or a one time offense. These types of criminal betrayal must not be forgiven.

To whom it may concern, I cannot believe that someone can steal nearly a million dollars from someone and the court could possibly consider this a misdemeanor. There are people in jail that have stole far less and are serving time. Mr. Hill stole property that he confessed to stealing and should have "the book thrown at him" any less is unimaginable. Please consider that Mr. Hill knew exactly what he was doing when he order those trucks sent to his winery. Sincerely, Charles M. Chavez

Mr. Hill made the decision to do the crime, so now he must do the time, as a felon.

This case should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.