Off-Duty Deputy Accused Of Killing Makes Court Appearance

An off-duty Riverside County Sheriff's Department deputy suspected of fatally shooting a bar patron made a court appearance today -- his first since being accused of the killing.

The suspect, Dayle William Long, 42, appeared in court at the Southwest Justice Center in French Valley in a red prison uniform, shackled at the ankles and his wrists cuffed to a chain around his waist.

Long is accused of killing 36-year-old Winchester resident Samuel Vanettes at on Murrieta Hot Springs Road Wednesday night.

To read more about the alleged crime, .

Long was scheduled to be arraigned today, but the hearing was postponed because the defense needed more time to go over the facts, said Jeff Zimel of the Public Defender's Office.

"There is more to this story than what I've seen in the papers," he said after the hearing.

Victim was a "peacemaker"

The victim was trying to keep the peace in the bar when Long gunned him down, said John Hall, a spokesperson for the District Attorney's office.

Long and another bar patron were in a heated argument when Vanettes stepped in to break up the fight. That's when it's alleged that the off-duty deputy pulled out a handgun and shot him.

The victim died of multiple gunshot wounds on the floor of the bar, according to the sheriff's coroner.

"He came in to act as a peacemaker and ended up getting shot," Hall said.

The victim was unarmed and showing no aggressive behavior, Hall said.
Long is being held in lieu of $1 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court again for arraignment on Jan. 12, according to court records.

Camera shy

Long and his attorneys requested the media be barred from taking photos during the hearing, but Judge Angel Bermudez judge declined the request.

The suspect shirked several camera-toting reporters by keeping his face turned away and stepping only a few feet into the courtroom, dwelling near a wall rather than sitting in an area designated for defendants.