Ryan ChartrandThe preliminary hearing for the homicide of Joshua Justin Davis Houlgate, 36, of San Luis Obispo, will take place Thursday, Jan. 10 at 1:30 pm at the San Luis Obispo County Courthouse. The preliminary hearing will preview the case against alleged suspects Patrick Wollett, 18, and Chad Westbrook, 35. The judge will decide if there is evidence sufficient for trial.
Police said Houlgate was found lying face-down in the driveway of residence No. 40 in the Oceanaire Mobile Home Park at 1121 Orcutt Rd. on Dec. 6, 2007 at approximately 5:30 p.m.
When officers arrived on the scene, Houlgate was already dead from an apparent gunshot wound, according to detectives from the San Luis Obispo Police Department and the Sheriff’s Department.
Wollett and Westbrook were arrested Dec. 7 and charged with Houlgate’s murder as well as additional charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Both suspects were apparently seen prior to the shooting, attacking Houlgate and another unidentified person and beating them with clubbing devices.
The cause of Houlgate’s death from the autopsy report was determined to be from a single shot from a 12-gauge shotgun to the chest.
Anyone with any information about the crime is asked to call the San Luis Police Department Houlgate Homicide Tip Line at 783-7800.