GILBERT PEADS GUILTY vs

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY BOB LEE ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT DONALD JAMES GILBERT JUNIOR PLED GUILTY TO MULTIPLE CHARGES RELATED TO THE DEATH OF JERRY LEE HUGHS. 54-YEAR-OLD HUGHS WAS KILLED IN JUNE OF 2003, AND HIS LIFELESS BODY WAS FOUND IN THE MIDDLE OF EAST ZAYANTE ROAD. HE DIED OF STRANGULATION AND A BLUNT FORCE TO THE HEAD. AFTER AN INVESTIGATION GILBERT WAS ULTIMATELY ARRESTED BY SANTA CRUZ COUNTY SHERIFF?S DEPUTIES, AT THE END OF A HIGH SPEED CHASE. GILBERT HAS A HISTORY OF DRUG USE. HE WILL BE SENTENCED IN FEBRUARY.