41 year-old man found guilty of voluntary manslaughter

NEWS RELEASE PROVIDED BY THE HUMBOLDT COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE

February 26, 2019

Today a jury found 41-year-old William Lamar Hinson III guilty of voluntary manslaughter for the killing of Khanh Lam, with the special allegation that he personally used a deadly weapon.   

The case arose from an incident on July 18, 2015. The victim, while apparently looking for his dog, became involved in a physical altercation with a family parked near the Garberville town square. The defendant and several others intervened and chased the victim down an alley, where the defendant struck the victim in the head with a board, fracturing the victim’s skull.

An investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office led by Investigator Jennifer Turner resulted in the arrest of the defendant in late 2016.  He has been in the Humboldt County Correctional Facility since January 2017.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees prosecuted the case with assistance from District Attorney Analyst David Walker and Victim/Witness Advocate Marybeth Bian. Public Defender Marek Reavis represented Mr. Hinson.  Judge Lawrence Killoran presided over the one-month-long jury trial.

The prosecution of Mr. Hinson relied on several witnesses willing to come forward, speak with law enforcement, and ultimately testify at trial.  The District Attorney’s Office greatly appreciates their efforts, along with the time and effort of the jury.

The scheduled sentencing date for Mr. Hinson is April 8, 2019.  Mr. Hinson faces 3, 6 or 11 years in state prison for the voluntary manslaughter conviction and an additional year in custody for the special allegation of personal use of a deadly weapon.