Jackson Man Sentenced to Three Years in Prison for Park Battery Conviction
AMADOR, CA – David Doty, 47, was sentenced on August 20, 2026, to three years in state prison following his conviction for felony battery resulting in serious bodily injury under California Penal Code section 243(d). The conviction stems from an April 7, 2026, incident at Petkovich Park on Water Street in Jackson, California.
According to officials, a 64-year-old woman was walking through the park toward the bus stop when she greeted Doty and offered him food. Doty responded by yelling at the victim and pacing. As the victim waited for the bus, Doty approached her, yelled in her face, and struck her without provocation, causing her to lose consciousness and fall. The victim received medical treatment, including three staples for a head laceration. Law enforcement officers located and arrested Doty the day following the incident.
Deputy District Attorney Brandon Hargrove handled the prosecution in coordination with Jackson Police Department investigators and the Victim Witness Unit. During the proceedings, the court held a bail hearing following a California Supreme Court ruling that changed statewide pretrial bail standards, requiring courts to consider an offender’s ability to pay and allowing defendants to request routine bail reviews. Following evidence and arguments presented by the prosecution regarding Doty’s conduct, criminal history, and prior failures to appear, the court ordered that Doty be held without bail.
The resulting felony conviction constitutes a “strike” under California law, exposing Doty to potential sentence enhancements for any future felony offenses.
