Andy Peroni - “The Mad Bomber” of Marysville: Bombings, Arsons, Burglaries and Murders
In 1968 my next door neighbor was dying from lung cancer. Her husband took her somewhere every weekend, as a mini getaway. One weekend in July, they went to Collins Lake. My neighbor came over after returning home. She said they were having a lovely time and had just finished a picnic lunch, when a man came running to the shore saying his wife had hit her head and had fallen into the water. He said he needed help because they couldn’t find her. My neighbor said he was distraught and hysterical. Some ran out to help him and others went to call the police. She said the police were there when they left but they had not found the woman. Since then, I have often heard people speak of the time that man killed his wife at Collins Lake. First of all, the man put on trial for the murder of the young lady was not the young lady’s husband and furthermore . . . well, let’s start at the beginning.
“The Mad Bomber”
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| Ming Tree Motel and The Jade Room - Yuba-Sutter History 101 |
On Wednesday, December 27, 1967 the Marysville Police arrested five young men, in a rooming house, on charges of possession of marijuana. A few hours after the arrest, the police received a telephone call from a man threatening one bombing a night unless Donnie Baker, one of the five men arrested, was released from jail. Later that evening, the first bomb exploded in Marysville. A bomb was either thrown into or planted in the swimming pool at the Ming Tree Motel located at 3rd and E Street in downtown Marysville. The explosion caused a huge wall of 15,000 gallons of water to flow into The Jade Room, a bar and lounge located in the basement of the Ming Tree Motel. The lounge had a glass wall with an underwater view of the swimming pool. The bartender and customers were all drenched. However, everyone was able to escape without injuries. Damage exceeded $30,000.
The next day, Thursday, December 28, 1967, the man called the police again. Now, he was demanding that not only did he want Donnie Baker released without bail, but he also wanted Robert Yore released. That evening a 20,000 gallon storage tank, about 200 yards from KMYC, a local radio station located on Simpson Lane in Linda, exploded. The tank held 700 gallons of weed killer at the time of the explosion. Dynamite was taped to the side of the tank. The explosion caused the radio station’s power supply and telephone lines to be disrupted for hours.
The third and final explosion occurred on December 31, 1967. A dynamite blast was set off in a rural area of Hallwood. There were no damages. The residents of Marysville were becoming nervous and a bit on edge not knowing what would happen next. At this time, the terrorist was being referred to by the locals as “The Mad Bomber”.
Yuba County Sheriff, Gary Miller, invited the FBI to assist his office and the Marysville Police in the investigation of the bombings. In May 1969, Sheriff Miller arrested and charged Andy Peroni, 24 of Browns Valley and his brother-in-law, Michael Clark, 18 of Marysville for the bombings.
An interesting side note:
On January 10, 1972 James Joseph Mraz, 27, a Berkeley Revolutionary, pled guilty to supplying explosives to bomb the Alameda County Courthouse and at least one utility tower in 1968. He told the District Attorney that the former Black Panther Captain, Willie Lee Brent, actually planted the bomb at the courthouse. Brent also shot three San Francisco Police Officers at a service station robbery. He later hijacked a TWA plane from Oakland to New York and went to Cuba to avoid prosecution. He has not been seen since. In addition, Mraz told the District Attorney that he bought large supplies of explosives, including the powerful plastic explosive Flo-Gel, from Andy Peroni and Gary Silva during the Spring of 1968. Peroni and Silva had stolen the explosives from dam projects on the Feather River. Mraz then sold or gave the explosives to Brent and the men responsible for the courthouse and the utility tower bombings.
Arson
Several barn fires, which turned out to be arson, were set in the Hallwood area where most of Andy Peroni’s family lived. The barns were owned by persons who had testified in Yuba County Superior Court in a civil case regarding the Yuba County Rock Co. against Andy Peroni’s mother. The barns contained valuable equipment. In May 1969 Sheriff Miller charged Andy Peroni, his sister Pauline Upp, 31 and Danny Johansen, 23 of Marysville for conspiracy for a number of barn fires. The charges were made at the same time that Andy Peroni and his brother-in-law, Michael were charged for the Marysville bombings.
The Poonian Residence Robbery
On July 4, 1968 The Poonian residence in Yuba City was burglarized. A side door had been forced open and two safes containing a large amount of money and expensive jewelry had been pried open and the contents removed. The Poonian family had been vacationing in Lake Tahoe. Paritem S. Poonian later estimated the robbery to be for over $100,000. He stated that $60,000 of the cash taken was in silver certificates and was worth $1.70 each. He also stated that $60,000 was taken from one safe and $40,000 from another. The jewelry stolen was pure gold and various gemstones.
Timothy D. Bailey, 19 was arrested on July 10, 1968, in North Hollywood, for the burglary. He had $59,000 cash in his possession. He disagreed with Poonian. Bailey stated that he had only received $60,000 in cash and threw the jewelry into the Feather River from the Fifth Street Bridge. After a day-long search, Sheriff Deputies were unable to recover the jewelry from the Feather River. Bailey also refused to name anyone else involved in the robbery and stated that he did it all on his own.
After a thorough investigation, it was determined that Darrell E. Pickett, 19 of Yuba City was also involved in the Poonian residence robbery. Darrell E. Pickett was arrested and charged with burglary on August 1, 1968. After his arrest, Pickett led deputies to a Yuba County pond, where they recovered a fruit jar containing $28,000 from the Poonian robbery. No further money or jewelry was ever recovered. Bailey gave many different conflicting stories on what actually occurred. However, both Bailey and Pickett pled no contest to the burglary charges and were sentenced. Darrell E. Pickett was released on Parole in July of 1969. Bailey was sent to the California Youth Authority and was still serving an indeterminant sentence at the time of Pickett’s parole.
The Drowning of Diane Pickett
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| Collins Lake - collinslake.com and Diane C. Pickett's Grave - findagrave.com |
On July 16, 1968 Diane Pickett, 17 was drowned while water skiing in Collins Lake. Merle Collins Lake is a man-made, freshwater lake in Browns Valley, CA. Diane Pickett was thrown from her skis. The boat was being driven by Andy Peroni. By the time Peroni turned the boat around and came back, she had disappeared. Peroni stated that he had made several dives but could not find her. Other divers and boatmen sent out by the Sheriff’s Department searched until dark but did not locate Mrs. Pickett. After two weeks of diving and dragging the lake, Beale AFB and the State Division of Fish and Game was called out to set off heavy charges of explosives. It was hoped that the explosives would free the body from anything it may be tangled in and raise it to the top of the lake. Mrs. Pickett was later found floating face down in Collins Lake. The cause of death was originally thought to be accidental. Mrs. Pickett was the wife of Darrell Pickett, who was one of the participants in the Poonian Residence robbery.
In May 1969 Sheriff Miller arrested and charged Andy Peroni and a second brother-in-law, Robert L. Clark, 21 of Yuba City for the murder of Mrs. Pickett. Witnesses came forward and testified that Mrs. Pickett was murdered because she argued over Peroni getting too large a share of the loot obtained from the Poonian robbery. Peroni was arrested for receiving stolen property, arson, three counts of illegal use of explosives and murder. Clark had the murder charge against him dismissed, when he gave evidence to the grand jury regarding the case against Peroni.
The first trial that Peroni faced was for Mrs. Pickett’s murder and a charge for receiving stolen property. Peroni’s attorney petitioned for a change of venue from Marysville stating that publicity in local newspapers made it impossible for Peroni to receive a fair trial. On November 6, 1969, a change of venue was granted by Superior Court Judge Schoenig. The trial was moved to San Jose. The trial began on January 20, 1970 with the selection of jury members. It was announced that the prosecution would not seek the death penalty.
Robert Clark was the key witness at the murder trial. Mr. Clark claimed that he saw Andy Peroni hit Mrs. Pickett over the head with a water ski. He stated that Peroni then jumped into the lake and held her under the water until she drowned. Another witness, Gary Silva, who was in the US Army at the time of the trial, testified that he had heard Peroni threaten to kill the girl shortly before the date of her death. On February 3, 1970 the jury was taken to Collins lake and later that day the Prosecution rested its case.
Andy Peroni testified on his own behalf at his trial. He stated that witnesses lied against him. He was particularly angry at his brother-in-law, Robert. He stated that Robert was angry that he did not receive part of the loot from the robbery. He stated that Robert’s testimony was the result of being pressured by Yuba County authorities who threatened him with a long jail sentence, if he failed to cooperate. He fully admitted to receiving part of the loot from the robbery but adamantly denied killing Mrs. Pickett.
On February 20, 1970, a jury acquitted Andy Peroni in the death of Diane Pickett. However, they did determine that he was guilty of receiving approximately $57,000 from the Poonian Residence Robbery. The jury felt that the prosecution’s witnesses were not reliable. On March 30, 1970, Andy Peroni pled guilty to one of the three charges of illegal use of explosives. I do not know what Andy Peroni’s sentence was for receiving stolen property and illegal use of explosives, however, he only spent four years at San Quentin.
Burglary and Possible Murder . . . Again?
On Christmas Eve 1974, Mary Serger’s Sutter County home was burglarized, and property was taken. It was alleged that Andy Peroni, his girlfriend Vickie Wilson and Eddie Roy Taylor, a boyhood friend of Peroni; all participated in the Christmas Eve burglary. Peroni and Taylor were also cellmates in San Quentin following Peroni’s sentence for burglary and illegal use of explosives.
Taylor’s weighted body was found by a fisherman on August 16, 1975 in Bullard’s Bar Reservoir. It was determined that he had died from a gunshot wound approximately a week before he was found. Authorities speculated that the Taylor murder was a revenge killing. It is believed that Taylor snitched to a narcotics officer regarding Peroni and his girlfriend in January 1975. This resulted in Peroni and his girlfriend being arrested for possession of amphetamines. However, the charges were subsequently dropped.
On August 18,1975 Andy Peroni and his girlfriend, Vickie Wilson, were arrested for the Christmas Eve burglary. Yuba County deputies obtained a search warrant and found property in Andy Peroni’s home that was taken in the Christmas Eve burglary of Mary Serger’s home. Andy Peroni was held on parole violation pending possible future charges in connection with the murder of Eddie Roy Taylor. Peroni and Wilson were formally charged with burglary, receiving stolen property and conspiracy in October 1975. Wilson was released on bail.
In December 1975, Andy Peroni’s attorney filed a writ of habeas corpus in Yuba County Superior Court. Peroni had been in prison since his August 18, 1975 arrest. His attorney stated that he had never been given a hearing on the revocation of his parole and his civil rights under the 14th Amendment to the Constitution was being violated. His attorney was demanding that he be released on bail. On January 19, 1976 Judge E. T. Manwell denied Peroni’s attorney’s request for release on bail. Peroni’s attorney also argued for a change of venue. Judge E. T. Manwell also denied the motion for a change of venue.
Andy Peroni’s trial began on January 27, 1976. The burglary trial of Andy Peroni had conflicting testimonies. Peroni’s family and Miss Wilson claimed that he was with them at the time of the burglary. The defense submitted snapshots of Peroni with his family on Christmas Eve. One snapshot showed Peroni standing next to a uniformed Marysville police officer who happened to be his brother-in-law, Ronald Huff. The prosecution’s key witness was Barbara West who was Taylor’s girlfriend. Miss West testified that she and Taylor and Peroni and Miss Wilson had been together earlier in the evening. However, Taylor, Peroni and his girlfriend all left the Peroni home. They returned later with items identified as taken from Mary Serger’s home. In addition, the Yuba County District Attorney, Bartley C. Wilson, referred to Officer Huff as a liar and a disgrace to his uniform. In March 1976, Andy Peroni was convicted on the burglary and conspiracy charges. On April 5, 1976 Peroni was sentenced to five years to life in prison.
In November 1977 Peroni’s conviction was upheld by the appellate court. Peroni had claimed that pre-trial publicity had made it impossible for him to receive a fair trial in Yuba County. Peroni was never tried for the murder of Eddie Taylor. It was suspected that he was the last person to see Eddie Taylor alive. However, there were no witnesses and no murder weapon was ever found.
Almost 20 Years Later
Trout Creek, Montana is a very rural, small town in Montana. It is the “Huckleberry Capital” of Montana. The population as of the 2000 census was 261. However, there are fewer people there now. On September 29, 1993 Michael Moore, a reporter for The Missoulian newspaper, in Missoula Montana, reported that a Trout Creek man, Andy R. Peroni, was being held without bond on federal charges for running a marijuana operation near his remote property. Peroni’s arrest came after a three month investigation by Sanders County authorities and Forest Service Officers. The Forest Service Officers were able to get videotape and still camera shots of Peroni in the marijuana gardens and holding a marijuana plant. A search of his home found a number of guns. Therefore, Peroni was also charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Federal authorities were interested in his past convictions in California. However, a number of his friends testified on September 27, 1993 that Peroni was a caring, loyal friend with no violent tendencies.
On September 30, 1993 ATF agents asked that Andy Peroni not be released on bail due to the fact that 13 guns, including pistols, rifles and shotguns were found in his home. Due to several felonies in California, he had lost his right to own or possess firearms. The court ordered that Andy Peroni be held without bail due to past convictions in Yuba County, California.
In February 1994, Andy Peroni plead guilty to failing to notify authorities that he knew someone was growing marijuana. The grower was Bryan Kahn. Kahn pled guilty to possessing 21 plants and received a three year deferred sentence with a $1,000 fine. However, the area by Peroni’s property had 300 plants.
On April 22, 1994 Andy Peroni received a 10 month federal prison term. He was credited with the seven months spent in jail. Therefore, leaving a three month sentence. After his sentence, he would be able to return home for three years court supervision. U.S. District Court Judge, Charles Lovell granted a contact visit with his wife and children before he went to prison. The judge received numerous glowing letters from family and friends regarding Andy Peroni’s character and family values. The judge stated that if the letters were accurate, Peroni was a very highly regarded neighbor and friend. Due to the number of mountain lions and bears in the area, the judge allowed Peroni’s wife to retain the firearms, as long as Peroni did not touch them.
After his trial, I could find no further information on Andy R. Peroni. I assume he has lived a quiet life with his friends and family. He and several of his family members still live in Trout Creek, Montana. Andy R. Peroni is now 75 years old.
Conclusion
There are a number of questions that came to mind, as I wrote this article, but the two I found the oddest were:
1. When the radical revolutionary named Peroni and Silva in supplying the explosives used to blow up a courthouse and utility pole, why weren’t they investigated or charged? This was a serious crime by a radical group. Not only were they not investigated but when Silva testified at Peroni’s trial, he was in the US Army.
2. Where was Darrell Pickett during his wife’s murder trial? He already confessed and served time for the Poonian burglary. He had to know how the loot was divided. He had to know if there were ill feelings between his wife and Peroni. He was there at the lake, when his wife died. Yet neither the defense nor the prosecution called him as a witness. I find that very strange.
Everyone will have their own belief or opinion as to the guilt or innocence of Andy Peroni and not all questions will be answered. However, it will always be an interesting period in Yuba-Sutter history.
References:
Trout Creek, Montana
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trout_Creek,_Montana
Yuba -Sutter History 101 Photos
https://www.facebook.com/groups/422705781233916/photos/
Collins Lake
https://collinslake.com/
Find A Grave, Diane C. (Stubblefield) Pickett
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79472471/diane-c_-pickett
Lodi News Sentinel (1967, December 30) Marysville In
Bomber’s Grip. Page 1. Lodi, California
https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19671230&id=deY_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=16MMAAAAIBAJ&pg=7097%2C7583405&hl=en&fbclid=IwAR0jZ6HSnd6YX0MacMgKCXpaN7iM0zqreSP8cN1GZvRrfByMfa_wjpJ-T40
The Sacramento Bee (1968, July 6) Yuba City Theft Loss
May Total About $60,000, Page 6, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619079807/?terms=Poonian%2BBurglary
The Sacramento Bee (1968, July 12) $60,000 In Theft Haul
Was Silver Certificates, Page 14, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619123426/?terms=Poonian%2Bburglary
The Sacramento Bee (1968, July 20) Water Skier Drowns In
Yuba Lake, Page 1, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619125021/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1968, July 30) Burglary Trial In Yuba
City Is Continued, Page 14, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619141657/?terms=Poonian%2Bburglary
The Sacramento Bee (1968, August 2) Yuba Reservoir Yields
Body Of Girl Lost Since July 19, Page 29, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619118533/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1968, August 2) Sutter Burglary
Suspect Is Free On $3,125 Bail, Page 12, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619138025/?terms=Poonian%2BBurglary
The Sacramento Bee (1968, August 22) Reservoir Blasts May
Free Body, Page 12, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619138025/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1969, May 18) Three Men Are Facing
Murder Counts In Yuba Crime Puzzle, Page 13, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619138703/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni Oakland Tribune (1969, May 19) 3 Seized In Marysville
Terrorism, Page 1, Oakland California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/527692036/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1969, June 18) Andy Peroni, Yuba Slaying
Suspect, Also Will Be Charged With Bombings, Page 12, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619283099/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1969, July 15) Yuba City Burglar Is
Released On Parole, Page 15, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619121105/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1969, September 18) Peroni Defense
Wants Out Of Yuba, Page 14, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619404626/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1969, November 8) Yuba Judge Moves
Murder Trial To San Jose, Page 6, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619729062/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, January 22) Death Penalty Is
Not Sought In Andy Peroni Murder Trial, Page 13, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619715840/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, February 4) Prosecution Rests
Case Against Suspect In Yuba Foothills Killing, Page 25, Sacramento,
California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619722257/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, February 12) Peroni Testifies,
Denies Slaying Yuba City Girl, Page 39, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619716483/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, February 19) Peroni Jury Has
Question On Testimony, Page 45, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619732047/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, February 20) Jury Acquits
Peroni In Death Of Yuba Girl, 17, Page 14, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619735221/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1970, March 31) Yuba County Says He
Used Explosives, Page 16, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/619393267/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
Oakland Tribune (1972, January 11) Explosives Suspect In
Guilty Plea, Page 32, Oakland California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/547227864/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1975, August 22) Suspect Held In
Reservoir Murders, Page 10, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/620659637/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni The Sacramento Bee (1975, December 31) Lawyers Want
Uncharged Suspect Released On Bail, Page 15, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/620562920/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1976, March 13) After 7 Months. . .
Slaying Suspect Convicted Of Burglary Charge, Page 2, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/620483819/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1976, April 6) Burglary Brings Felon
State Prison Sentence, Page 13, Sacramento, California
https://www.newspapers.com/image/620561021/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
The Sacramento Bee (1977, November 11) Conviction Is
Upheld, Page 16, Sacramento, California.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/620953361/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
Moore, Michael, The Missoulian (1993, September 29) Pot
Suspect’s Past Works Against Him, Page 12, Missoula, Montana
https://www.newspapers.com/image/351039031/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
Moore, Michael, The Missoulian (1993, October 1)
Magistrate Sees Cause to Press Weapons Charges In Pot Case, Page 14, Missoula,
Montana
https://www.newspapers.com/image/350556234/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
https://www.newspapers.com/image/394201214/?terms=Andy%2BR%2BPeroni
Let the past die!
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