My dear friend Jennifer Kathleen Gibbons alerted me yesterday that the trial we thought would take place on January 3, 2022 might be postponed. On that date, Mitchell Lynn Bacom would face the court for the murder of Suzanne Bombardier.
In the Contra Costa dated December 27, 2021 we read: “The presiding judge of Contra Costa County has ordered a freeze on all jury trials — except those that have already started — over concerns about rising COVID infection rates, including seven recent positive cases among court staff.” The reason: Covid19.
“In a mass email to attorneys and court staff Monday morning, Presiding Judge Rebecca Hardie wrote that she is “suspending all jury selection/panels until Jan. 24,” with plans to re-evaluate the order on Jan. 14. The order comes one week after the omicron variant was first detected in Contra Costa County; Hardie’s email says infection rates have increased by 156.9 percent since then.”
It seems likely that Suzie’s trial is pushed back but Jenn and I are still trying to get it confirmed. As soon as I know more, I will update this post or add the new information in the database.
UPDATE DEC 29, 2021: trial pushed back until Jan 24, there’s no sworn jury, and no new dates have been set. I will keep you posted.
The Case
On June 21, 1980, Suzanne Arlene Bombardier went missing from Antioch, California. On June 27th, her nude body was found in the nearby San Joaquin river. Suzie died from one stab wound to the heart.
In Dec 2017, police announced that Mitchell Lynn Bacom, the original suspect, was charged. He was held on charges of murder, kidnapping, rape, and oral copulation. According to SF Gate, Bacom had shown an interest in Suzanne’s sister, Stephanie, who did not reciprocate.
On the night Suzanne disappeared, Bacom and Stephanie had plans to meet but she changed her mind. Bacom allegedly showed up anyway and took Suzanne.