Healdsburg Hotel slaying charges dismissed in 2023 after jury names are unidentified

A Sonoma County Superior Court judge dismissed charges against a Santa Rosa man accused of a 2023 attack at the Healdsburg Hotel that left one man dead after a jury failed to reach a verdict last month .

Judge Laura Passaglia on Thursday dismissed the single count of assault with a deadly weapon against Romario Cisneros, who authorities said fatally stabbed Abel Garza, according to court documents.

The dismissal came after the district attorney's office indicated it would not seek a second trial, Assistant District Attorney Brian Staebell told The Press Democrat on Friday.

“Given the overwhelming dissension of the jury in favor of acquittal, we concluded that it was unreasonable to expect that another jury hearing the same evidence would have unanimously and beyond a reasonable doubt found the defendant guilty.” said Staebell.

While no one disputes that Cisneros killed Garza, arguments in the case focused on whether his actions were justified because Garza allegedly threatened and assaulted hotel employees while they were under the influence of alcohol, fentanyl and methamphetamine.

In last month's trial, 11 jurors voted for acquittal, with one holdout leading to a deadlock.

Cisneros was originally charged with another charge of involuntary manslaughter before prosecutors dismissed the charge shortly before testimony in his trial, which began Oct. 16.

The prosecution concluded its argument on October 23, and Cisneros took the stand that day to defend himself.

Garza's family filed a lawsuit alleging the hotel's negligence in his death. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for February 27.

Staff writer Colin Atagi contributed to this article.

Reach Staff Writer Alana Minkler at 707-526-8531 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter,) @alana_minkler.