Judge Declares Defendant Incompetent after She Refuses to Appear for Her Hearing
By Elizabeth Garabedian SANTA MARIA, CA – Judge Gustavo Lavayen here Thursday in Santa Barbara County Superior…
COVID-19 Outbreak in Yolo County Jail Impedes Defendant’s Right to Counsel, Delays Speedy Trial
By Fiona Davis WOODLAND, CA – A reported outbreak of COVID-19 in the Yolo County Jail Wednesday…
Victim Allegedly Sexually Abused for Years by Elder Brother Testifies in Jury Trial
By Ankita Joshi ALAMEDA, CA – A man is on trial here in Alameda County Superior Court…
Resentencing Schedule Set for Another Convicted Murderer Seeking to Have Murder Conviction Vacated
By Alexander Ramirez WOODLAND, CA – Pao Thao—convicted of murder, torture, a couple counts of kidnapping, and…
Charges of Grand Theft of Expensive Bike Deemed Adequate, Judge Sets Felony Trial
By Ramneet Singh WOODLAND, CA – Benjamin Lee Howe is accused of stealing one expensive bicycle—one rich…
Attorneys Argue Confidentiality Over Public’s Right to Know in Brief Hearing
By Beth Miller SACRAMENTO, CA – Does the public have the right to know about the “sausage…
Defense Attorney Ordered to Show Cause after Failing to Check in Six Times on Five Cases
By Beth Miller SACRAMENTO, CA – Within a four-month period, the founder of a Sacramento criminal defense…
Judge Finally Allows Woman to Serve Community Service in Lieu of Jail Time
By David M. Greenwald Executive Editor Alameda, CA – It took a lot of doing but an…
Alleged Serial Rapist Expected to Face Jury Trial after Intense Preliminary Hearing
By Fiona Davis SACRAMENTO, CA – Octavian Joseph—charged with 23 felony counts related to sexual assault, kidnapping…
Judge Initially Hesitant to Release Woman from Custody and into Drug Treatment Program, Citing Concerns of Compliance
By Alexander Jimenez ALAMEDA, CA – Alameda County Superior Court, Dept. 13, Wednesday appeared to have found…
San Francisco Man Gets 3 Years in Prison, but SF DA Plan Helped to Limit Term
By Paige Laver SAN FRANCISCO, CA – John Gough was sentenced here this past week in federal…
Homicide Investigator, Technician Testify to Details in Carjacking/Murder Trial
By Sophia Barberini ALAMEDA, CA – Two witnesses took the stand in Alameda County Superior Court Tuesday…
Public Defender Objects to Late Trial Video Evidence, Suggesting It Was Racist and Offensive
By Carson Eschen SANTA BARBARA, CA – Deputy Public Defender Richard Addison Steele, II, vehemently objected last…
Request to Release Woman Charged with Having Sex with Minor Debated and Denied
By Fiona Davis WOODLAND, CA – A woman, charged with engaging in a sexual relationship with a…
Man Charged with Being Felon in Possession of Firearm and Body Armor – Denies He Owns Either
By Genesis Guzman SACRAMENTO, CA –Jahwan Sanders appeared in Sacramento County Superior Court Monday, charged with being…
‘I Don’t Recall’ Was Initial Response of Accused’s Father in Murder Trial
By Neha Malhi RIVERSIDE, CA – A trial is ongoing this week here in Riverside County Superior…
Domestic Violence Victim Testifies to Recorded Phone Calls in Trial, Illustrating Alleged Threats; Defense Pushes Back
By Alexa Kendell RIVERSIDE, CA – The trial of Joe Ortega reconvened late last week here in…
Balancing Act: Providing Man Substance Abuse Treatment, and Ensuring Public Safety
By Alex Jimenez ALAMEDA, CA- Factoring in an accused’s long-standing criminal history of substance abuse, the courts…
Vanguard Court Watch Articles of the Week Aug 23-27, 2021
Corporal Injury Case Set for Trial, Even Though Testimony of Only Witness Equates Victim Statement with Own…
Corporal Injury Case Set for Trial, Even Though Testimony of Only Witness Equates Victim Statement with Own Assumptions
By Natalia Claburn SACRAMENTO, CA – Marcelino Hernandeznewborn was present in custody at his preliminary hearing here…
