Cotati Man Pleads Not Guilty In Deadly Neighbor Shooting

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — A Cotati man pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Sonoma County Superior Court to the shooting murder of his neighbor in July. Joseph Allan Rossi, 68, allegedly shot Patrick Leonard, 67, of Cotati, Friday, July 26, in a garage of a residence on Robin Avenue.

Cotati police responded around 6:30 p.m., and Leonard was taken to a hospital where he was
pronounced dead.

Police said the two men were involved in an ongoing quarrel and the shooting occurred during a heated argument outside their homes. A handgun found in Rossi's home is believed to be the murder weapon, police said.

The Sonoma County District Attorney's Office's complaint alleges the murder was with malice, deliberate, willful and premeditated.

Rossi, who is being held without bail, is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 23 for a preliminary hearing.

Police said it was the first homicide in Cotati since 1995.

• PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Ongoing Neighbor Dispute Turns Deadly In Cotati: Police

—Bay City News Service; Patch local editor Maggie Avants contributed to this report.