FORT BRAGG, 10/20/20 — Robert Henry Brockway III, 33, is being held on suspicion of first degree murder and two charges of violation of county parole, according to county filings.
Brockway, of Albion, is accused of using a sword to kill Jimmie Mathias Mooneyham, 60 of Fort Bragg, this Monday, according to a Tuesday criminal complaint filed by the Mendocino County District Attorney.
The filing states that Brockway has a previous felony strike under the three strikes law — for a 2009 conviction in Hawaii for first degree burglary.
In a Facebook post early Monday afternoon the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office said deputies had responded to a violent assault in the 19000 block of Babcock Lane (off Highway 20) in Fort Bragg and they were actively searching for Brockway.
A reverse 911 call asking residents in the SR-20 area of Fort Bragg to shelter in place was canceled about 5:15 p.m. Later Monday evening, another press release stated Brockway was in custody.
Arraignment for Brockway on the charges is set for Thursday at 9 a.m. in Superior Court.
In addition to the Hawaii matter, Brockway has been the subject of previous local cases and press releases from the sheriff’s office in 2017 and 2019 involving assault and weapons charges. The Tuesday filing by the district attorney’s office states Brockway has been convicted of two or more felonies.
County court files also show him involved with a probate civil case dated last week. Brockway is being held in lieu of $500,000.00 bail for the murder charge and on a no bail status for the probation violation.
Here is a press release on the issue from the MCSO:
DATE: “October 20, 2020”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Incident Number:
2020-25839Crime/Incident:
187 PC (Murder)Violation of Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS – County Probation)
Location:
19000 block of Babcock Lane in Fort Bragg, CADate of Incident:
10-19-2020Time:
1:30 PMVictim(s):
Jimmie Mathias Mooneyham (60 year-old male from Fort Bragg, CA)Suspect(s):
Robert Henry Brockway III (33 year-old male from Albion, CA)Written By: {insert content here}
Synopsis:
On 10-19-2020 at 1:30 PM Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a violent assault that had occurred at a residence located in the 19000 block of Babcock Lane in Fort Bragg, California.Upon arrival Deputies located Jimmie Mathias Mooneyham deceased inside his residence. His injuries appeared to be caused by a bladed instrument.
Deputies contacted multiple people on the property and developed information that linked Robert Henry Brockway to Mooneyham’s death.
Deputies learned Brockway had fled the area on foot shortly before the Deputies arrival prompting an immediate search of the area.
During this time the Sheriff’s Office received assistance from the Fort Bragg Police Department, Mendocino County Multi-Agency SWAT Team, Mendocino County Major Crimes Task Force, Mendocino County Probation Department, California Highway Patrol, California State Parks and Department of Fish & Wildlife.
An extensive search of the area was unsuccessful in locating Brockway.
Sheriff’s Detectives were summoned to the scene and began to conduct follow up investigations with the assistance of the Mendocino County District Attorney’s Office and California Department of Justice Eureka Crime Lab.
Deputies continued the search for Brockway and found him at a family member’s residence in Fort Bragg where he arrived unannounced.
Brockway was arrested without incident and was cooperative with Deputies.
During initial scene investigations it appeared the incident was an unprovoked act of violence and the pair were social acquaintances. Brockway was known to frequent the property where Mooneyham lived, which also contained other living quarters.
A forensic autopsy of Mooneyham’s body is scheduled for 10-21-2020.
Brockway was booked into the Mendocino County Jail on charges of 187 PC (Murder) and violation of Post Release Community Supervision (PRCS – County Probation).
Brockway was to be held in lieu of $500,000.00 bail for the murder charge and on a No Bail status for the PRCS violation.
Approved by:
Captain Gregory L. Van Patten #1184
2 months no data update. Are
You being directed to stop
Reporting on Covid?
Don’t understand why a murder charge is given bail but a probation violation doesnt?
basically it’s the technicalities, a murder charge is just a charge, there is no guilt yet so bail is usually set. But for a parole/probation violation, you are usually held without the possibility of bailing out, especially if an inmate is suspected to be a flight-risk or a danger to themselves and/or others. These are 2 separate events, and the no bail violation takes precedence. Even if he were to post bail for the murder charge it would not be allowed.
If you are on probation with multiple courts for convictions of earlier crimes, which seems to be the case here, a new arrest violates the terms of standard terms of probation and you could be charged twice or more. A charge for every probation violation and the new murder charge is new violation of probation.
Further, you could be convicted of a probation violation for being arrested even if ultimately you are acquitted of the underlying criminal charge. In this case acquittal seems impossible.
The victim was my uncle and it’s a shame that their has been no update released. Jimmie was a good man and didn’t deserve this. I hope justice is served.