Two Placer County prosecutors who gained a conviction in a 26-year murder mystery were honored Thursday night as “Prosecutors of the Year” by the California District Attorneys Association.

Suzanne Gazzaniga and David Tellman received the statewide award for rural and medium counties – populations of 400,000 or less — during the CDAA’s annual conference in South Lake Tahoe.

“This is the second year in a row and the third time in six years that Placer County has been able to bring home this prestigious award,” Placer County Assistant District Attorney Scott Owens said.

“It’s a testament to the strength, depth, dedication and experience of the prosecutors who work in the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.”

Previous winners of the Prosecutor of the Year award are Placer County Senior Deputy District Attorney Garen Horst in 2008 and Supervising Deputy District Attorney Thomas Beattie in 2004.

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