Santa Barbara Courthouse

Charges in the case of Dr. Andrew Bourne in Santa Barbara County Court have been officially dismissed.

Deputy District Attorney Mary Barron said that when her office received Dr. Bourne’s death certificate, the case was dismissed.  Barron said, “We filed a copy with the court and dismissed the charges as to him, only.”  She said the bail bond for Bourne was exonerated.  Money will be returned.

Barron also said that some of Bourne’s property remains in the possession of the DA’s office as Santa Barbara Police review the property for “evidentiary value”.  It is believed that this property includes a computer and cell phone.

The Santa Barbara DA had alleged that Bourne and Joe Walker of Mammoth had sent 1,000 emails to a 14-year-old Santa Barbara girl.  Both men faced charges of illegal contact with a minor for purposes of sex.  Additionally, Walker faces a charge of lewd acts with a minor. Barron said that once there is a determination that Bourne’s property is not required as evidence in the Walker case, the DA’s office expects to authorize its release to the Bourne family.

Barron said the next hearing in both cases is scheduled for March 9th.