*NEWS RELEASE*
OYLER RELATIVE SURRENDERS TO POLICE

RIVERSIDE - Christopher Vaughn Hillman, the brother-in-law of convicted murderer and death row inmate Raymond Lee Oyler, surrendered to the Corona Police Department yesterday.

On Aug. 7, 2009, Hillman was charged with seven felony counts of tampering with a juror. He had faced increased pressure to surrender himself after the charges were announced earlier this week along with a warrant for his arrest and the suspects photo was circulated to media outlets statewide.

During the trial of convicted arsonist Raymond Lee Oyler, on or about Feb. 26, 2009, Hillman, 46, prepared and delivered flyers to all of the vehicles in the County of Riverside juror parking lots. The flyers were copies of newspaper articles describing various pre-trial rulings by Judge Morgan in the case of People v. Raymond Lee Oyler which prohibited the defense from introducing certain evidence. The flyers were discovered by three of the jurors in Oyler's trial during the noon recess and Riverside County sheriff's deputies located four more flyers on the windshields of other jurors in the case.

The Riverside County District Attorney's Office began an investigation to determine who was responsible for tampering with the jury in a very significant death penalty case. During the execution of a search warrant at his home, Hillman fled. Inside the home, investigators found evidence linking Hillman to the flyers and filed jury tampering charges against him on Aug. 7, 2009.

"Tampering with the justice system is an offense not to be taken lightly," said District Attorney Rod Pacheco. "We intend to vigorously prosecute this case and ensure that the defendant is made to answer for his crimes."

Hillman is set to appear in court on Oct. 29, 2009. The case is being prosecuted by Supervising Deputy District Attorney Michael J. Cabral.