District Attorney Jason Woodbury has called for a coroner’s inquest relating to the Feb. 15, 2020 killing of Clint Garett Malone in Carson City. Malone, 37, died as the result of multiple stab wounds inflicted at a residence on Woodside Drive.
In a Petition for Coroner’s Inquest filed Tuesday with the Carson City Justice Court, Woodbury identified 35 potential witnesses and 103 potential items of evidence for the inquest, which he expects to last three days.
By law, the Carson City coroner must investigate any death which occurs under circumstances which may be occasioned by unnatural means. The District Attorney then reviews the coroner’s investigation to determine whether an inquest is warranted. Sheriff Ken Furlong serves as the coroner for Carson City.
“Based on the information gathered in the investigation to date and in consultation with Sheriff Furlong, I have determined an inquest is appropriate under the circumstances of this case,” said Woodbury, adding, “This proceeding allows us to present all the evidence in this matter and see what a jury decides the evidence shows.” Furlong said he “appreciated the transparency of the inquest process.” “This is our best opportunity to provide the public the full extent of the investigation,” he said.
A coroner’s inquest is not a criminal proceeding. Its purpose is to determine whether the conduct that resulted in an individual’s death was legally justified, excused, or criminal.
If it is determined to be criminal, it may be referred for criminal proceedings. Three Carson City residents qualified to serve as jurors will be selected to serve as the jury for the inquest. A justice of the peace presides and will instruct the jury on the law it must apply to the evidence presented. Following the presentation of evidence and instruction on the applicable law, the jury will be asked to return a verdict reflecting the manner of death.
Woodbury said the next step in the process calls for the Carson City Justice Court to schedule the inquest hearing.
