Steven Rothschild murder trial begins

Opening arguments are set for Wednesday, Aug. 22|

Steven Rothschild's defense attorney Steven Gallenson and Sonoma County Assistant District Attorney Javier Vaca on Monday began the jury selection process for the murder trial of Boyes Hot Springs resident Steven Rothschild.

Judge Dana Beernink Simonds will hear the case of the People vs. Steven Rothschild in courtroom 3 of the Santa Rosa Superior Court.

Rothschild, 73, is accused of strangling his wife of 32 years, Juanita Rothschild, in their Sonoma Springs house on Aug. 4 of last year.

The charge against Rothschild, whether there is enough evidence to prove that he planned to kill his wife, or whether he strangled her in the heat of the moment — is a distinction that will be determined during the trial. Opening arguments are scheduled to begin tomorrow, Aug. 22, in courtroom 3 of Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa.

A first degree murder charge, which would mean the killing was premeditated and planned, can bring 25 years to life in prison. A lesser charge of second degree murder, a crime involving malice but no premeditation, would bring 15 years to life in prison.

Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies who responded to an emergency call to the couple's Amherst Circle home last summer found Juanita Rothschild, 67, slumped and bloodied on a couch in the couple's living room, according to testimony during the preliminary hearings.

Steven Rothschild, who had bruised hands and knuckles, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The autopsy report released in November determined that Juanita had been strangled to death.

Steven and Juanita Rothschild had been living in Sonoma Greens since 2014, and they previously lived in Truckee, Reno, Nevada, Washington state and San Francisco, according to Gallenson.

Rothschild has been held on $2 million bail at the Main Adult Detention Facility in Santa Rosa awaiting trial since his arrest a year ago.

Email Lorna at lorna.sheridan@sonomanews.com.

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