Father Acquitted of Battery – He Asked Two People to Stop Cutting in Line at Children’s Event
San Francisco, CA – A jury deliberated for less than 15 minutes before acquitting Marcos Ortega, of…
VANGUARD COURT WATCH INVESTIGATION: Judge Denies Motion to Dismiss Murder Case, Despite Acknowledging Prosecution May Not be Able to Get Conviction
(Editor’s note: The Clay case, and The Vanguard’s coverage of it, is part of an ongoing investigation.)…
COURT WATCH: Accused Prevented from Visiting Terminally Ill Father and Seeking Treatment for Drug Addiction
By Neha Suri AUBURN, CA – After Judge Eugene S. Gini rejected the defense request to release…
COURT WATCH: Prosecution Criticized, Judge Dismisses Aggravated Kidnapping Charge
LOS ANGELES, CA – A superior court judge agreed with private attorney Thomas W. Kielty’s motion to…
COURT WATCH: Forensic Practices Doctor Questions Trustworthiness of Evidence
BURLINGTON, VT – At an evidentiary hearing regarding the trustworthiness of the complaining witness’s testimony last Thursday…
FCC Votes to Cap Incarcerated Calling Rates, Ban Unnecessary Corporate Fees
NORTHAMPTON, MA – The Federal Communications Commission voted this week to impose new improvements and statutes on…
COURT WATCH: Judge Issues Arrest Warrant before Ensuring Accused Properly Notified of Court Appearance
By Gabriela Rose ITHACA, NY- An arraignment hearing in Ithaca City Court this week led Judge…
COURT WATCH: Accused Not Provided with Spanish Language Legal Documents, Fails to Appear in Court for Hearing
By Quinn Hogan and Bryan Miller MODESTO, CA – A hearing held last week at Stanislaus County…
SF Jury Acquits Man; Defense Charges Police ‘Ignored’ Evidence, Conducted ‘Incomplete’ Investigation
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A jury here in San Francisco County Superior Court last week agreed with…
New Court Commissioners in Sacramento Tilt Toward the Prosecution Side in Their Experience
Sacramento, CA – This week the Sacramento Courts announced the appointment of two additional court commissioners. Both…
Jury Acquits Unhoused San Francisco Man Who Defended Himself Against Death Threats and Bear Spray Attack
San Francisco, CA – A San Francisco jury found Garret Doty, 25, not guilty of all three…
COURT WATCH: Accused Misses Sobriety Tests Right Before Completing Program, Begs Court, ‘I’m Human’
OAKLAND, CA – A man maintained he was “human” and culpable of forgetting things in Alameda County…
Former Alameda County Prosecutor Amilcar ‘Butch’ Ford Ordered Booked on Misdemeanor Charge
Special to the Vanguard Oakland, CA – Alameda County Superior Court Judge James Cramer on Thursday ordered…
Stankewitz Evidentiary Hearing Set for January
Fresno, CA – Judge Arlan Harrell set the Douglas “Chief” Stankewitz evidentiary hearing for January 22 through…
Commentary: DNA Evidence Casts Further Doubt on Murder Retrial of Justin Gonzalez
Woodland, CA – On Monday, even before jury selection began, the defense dealt another serious blow to…
Judge Holds Man to Answer on Charges, Despite DNA Evidence Being Sole Basis for Identification
San Francisco, CA – Judge Michael Rhoads on Wednesday ruled that DNA evidence was sufficient for the…
Judge Denies Suppression, Throws Out Only Two Charges against a Man Shot by SF Police Despite Calling the Shooting ‘A Terrible Outcome’
San Francisco, CA – Richard Everett found himself surrounded by police, receiving conflicting commands before being shot…
COURT WATCH: DA’s in Butte Push Back Against Release
Oroville, CA – In multiple cases on Thursday morning in Butte County Court, the DA’s office pushed…
Amador County Judge Denies Racial Justice Act Motion in Case Where Complaining Witness Made Slur against Romani Man
Jackson, CA – Amador County Judge Renee Day quickly dismissed a defense motion under the Racial Justice…
Prosecution Suddenly Reverses Course, Concedes Dominguez Not Competent to Stand Trial
Judge Issues Medication Order After Psychiatrists’ Diagnosis, Dominguez’s Refusal of Medication WOODLAND, CA – After a week…
