California DOJ assisted with evidence
“California DOJ criminalists work every day in forensic laboratories across the state, analyzing evidence that can help convict the guilty or exonerate the innocent. Using their scientific expertise and the latest forensic technology, they uncover the facts behind criminal cases, providing critical insight when there are no witnesses—or when those involved are unwilling to tell the truth.”
CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
TUOLUMNE COUNTY – Following a seven-day trial, on July 1, 2026, a Tuolumne County jury found Kasual McGuire-Meder, 25, guilty of 2nd Degree Murder, 1st Degree Residential Robbery, Personally Inflicting Great Bodily Injury, and Unlawfully Driving a Vehicle.
The body of victim Ben “Bogie” Lindsey Jr. was discovered on March 13, 2023, wrapped in blankets in his home on Calle Quartz Drive in the town of Columbia. Lindsey’s vehicle, as well as a firearm, were missing from his home. A tenant on the property, Jon Starkweather, shared that earlier that week his daughter, Sabrina Starkweather, and her boyfriend, Kasual McGuire-Meder had been staying on the property but left about two days prior. A neighbor recalled seeing the victim’s vehicle on March 13, 2023, driving to the AM/PM in Sonora. Surveillance revealed that after 6:00 p.m. on March 13, 2023, McGuire-Meder drove the victim’s vehicle to AM/PM, bought a lighter, and then drove away. Sabrina Starkweather was in the passenger seat of the vehicle.
McGuire-Meder was located on March 16, 2026, in Reno, Nevada. The victim’s vehicle was also located in Reno. McGuire-Meder was then interviewed by Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Office detectives where he initially denied any involvement in Lindsey’s death. Ultimately, Maguire-Meder admitted that there had been a plan to kill Lindsey with Sabrina and Jon Starkweather, that he was present and had assaulted Lindsey in the process, and that he took Lindsey’s keys while looking for items to take from the victim’s home. Maguire-Meder alleged that Sabrina Starkweather wielded the hatchet against Lindsey.
Initially, McGuire-Meder was charged with murder as were Sabrina and Jon Starkweather. The suspected murder weapon, a hatchet located in Lindsey’s home, was later tested by the California Department of Justice. Testing confirmed that the victim’s blood was on the weapon, and that McGuire-Meder’s DNA was on the handle of the hatchet.
Jon Starkweather denied any involvement in the murder. The case against him was dismissed by Assistant District Attorney Eric Hovatter in October 2023.
Sabrina Starkweather consistently denied being present inside Lindsey’s home when the murder occurred. In 2024, she pled guilty to Manslaughter, First Degree Residential Robbery and Unlawfully Taking a Vehicle. She is currently serving a sentence in prison of nine years and eight months.
The case is now set for a court trial on July 15, 2026, in front of the Honorable Judge Laura L. Krieg, to decide if the aggravating factors are true, which include (1) that the crime involved great violence or other acts disclosing a high degree of cruelty, viciousness, or callousness; (2) that the defendant was armed with a weapon at the time of the commission of the crime; (3) that the victim was particularly vulnerable; and (4) that the manner in which the crime was carried out indicated planning, sophistication or professionalism.
Sentencing will be set at the July 15, 2026, hearing date.
