Pictured are Placer County Assistant District Attorney Scott Owens, left, Deputy District Attorney David Tellman, Senior Deputy District Attorney Suzanne Gazzaniga and Placer County District Attorney Brad Fenocchio.
From Chelsea Phua:
The California District Attorneys Association has named two Placer County prosecutors who won a conviction in a 26-year-murder mystery "Prosecutors of the Year," according to a news release.
Suzanne Gazzaniga and Dave Tellman on Thursday night received the statewide award for counties with populations of 400,000 or less during the association's conference.
It's the second consecutive year and third time in six years that the Placer County District Attorney's office has won the award, said Assistant District Attorney Scott Owens.
Gazzaniga and Tellman successfully prosecuted Paul R. Kovacich, Jr., a former Placer County sheriff's sergeant for killing his wife Janet Kovacich. The mother of two young children disappeared in 1982 at the age of 27.
Kovacich, 59, is serving a state prison term of 27 years to life.
The case was difficult because of the passage of time and its circumstantial nature, Owens said.
District Attorney Brad Fenocchio nominated Gazzaniga and Tellman, praising their "unique skills, intellect and sheer courtroom mastery." Gazzaniga, who was the lead prosecutor, said that she and Tellman were proud to win justice for the victim's family.
She described it as "an incredible privilege." "It was an absolute honor to champion justice for the young mother's parents, who passed away never knowing justice," Gazzaniga said. "To receive an award for this work is a tribute to all those involved in this case who persevered and dedicated themselves to the pursuit of justice."
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