By Darling Gonzalez and Brandon Blanco
WOODLAND, CA – Late this week, in Yolo County Superior Court, The accused was released from jail on supervised own recognizance and no bail while, another suspect (full name withheld on misdemeanors) was sent back to jail at the Yolo County Jail for violating his probation after he was found driving under the influence.
The accused wasn’t on current parole or probation, and—importantly to the judge—had his girlfriend’s support, while the accused charged with misdemeanors was under probation supervision.
The accused appeared for a pre-hearing conference, facing felony charges for possession of a firearm after being previously convicted for a 2019 firearms possession in Sacramento County, according to Yolo Deputy District Attorney Caryn Warren.
The attorney representing the accused, Attorney James Granucci, pleaded to Judge Timothy L. Fall that the accused be released on his own recognizance, noting the accused lives in Rancho Cordova with his family members.
Judge Fall asked DDA Warren about the accused’s custody status and whether or not the case would be “put over.”
“It’s troubling to me that it’s a firearm charge and his last conviction was in 2019,” Warren expressed.
Judge Fall then asked if the accused’s previous charge was a felony and if he was still under probation.
DDA Warren responded that the accused’s charge had been a 2019 firearms possession charge in Sacramento, but he was no longer on probation.
Following this response, Judge Fall decided that the accused would be placed under a supervised own recognizance, meaning that the probation officer would be supervising the accused while on probation.
“I’m doing this for a couple of reasons. One is based on what the attorneys have told me about how they view the case (and) you have local ties…and plus your girlfriend has been here waiting for the case to be called which shows support for you from the community, so those are all reasons why I think it’s worth taking a risk and having you released,” Judge Fall explained.
Judge Fall set the accused’s next court date to May 5 at 9 a.m. in Dept. 11.
In another court hearing, though, the accused charged with misdemeanors was taken to jail to serve 60 days at the Yolo County Jail, for violation of his probation. In the DUI (driving under the influence) case, he is subject to four days in county jail in addition to a three-year summary probation and is fined $1,599 in penalty assessments.
The accused charged with misdemeanors appeared in court being represented by the Deputy Public Defender Aaron Rojas, facing these misdemeanor charges for driving under the influence and probation violation charges. Rojas pleaded no contest to the DUI charges.
Abram will surrender himself to county jail on May 19 by 9 a.m.
I note in this story that Andrew Kelly with private counsel was released from jail, whereas Jaime Abram with a Public Defender was sent back to jail, both hearings disposed of by the same judge. It led me to wonder about the race/ethnicity of the defendants. Defendant Kelly faces a firearms charge and is released without bail whereas defendant Abram, though un-sentenced, is sent back to jail for a misdemeanor parole violation. Since Abram could not afford counsel, I also wonder how he can afford the $1600 fine. Regardless of his race/ethnicity he’s on track to stay in jail or cycle in and out. I suggest he get a girlfriend ASAP before appearing before judge Fall again. BTW, I thought we didn’t publish names of defendants charged with misdemeanors.