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James Rambeau

In June, 22-year-old James Rambeau of Bishop died from stab wounds. Sheriff’s deputies arrested 18-year-old Louis Leplat. A trial date for Leplat has been set for April 19th, 2010.

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Louis Leplat

Jury selection and the trial will take place in the main courtroom at the courthouse in Independence. Public defender Elizabeth Corpora represents Leplat who faces one count of murder.

Authorities have said very little about this case. It is known that the victim, James Rambeau, was found in a home on Bishop’s Indian Reservation. He was rushed to Northern Inyo Hospital with stab wounds. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. Leplat was arrested almost immediately. A later autopsy confirmed that Rambeau did die from stab wounds to the chest.

District Attorney Art Maillet had commented in July that there were two different versions of what happened that have remained under investigation. The DA did confirm that disputes developed among a few people which led to the stabbing of the victim.

Murder investigators have served several search warrants in and around the Bishop area. At last word, they had interviewed some 16 people who witnessed or had information regarding factors in this case.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Services have examined numerous pieces of evidence in this case including blood serum, finger prints and DNA.

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