Judge Denies Petition of Man Seeking Resentencing in Murder Conviction During 2010 Home Invasion
By Destiny Gurrola and Ramneet Singh MODESTO, CA – Judge Shawn Bessey of Stanislaus County Superior Court…
Judge Rules Alleged Grand Theft Case Civil, Not Criminal – Dismisses Charge
By Kaylee Pearlman MODESTO, CA – A judge here in Stanislaus County Superior Court determined this week…
Court Admits It Missed Something, Then Rejects Diversion Motion in Domestic Violence Case
By Citlalli Florez MODESTO, CA – The judge denied a motion here in Stanislaus County Superior Court…
Disabled, Homeless Woman Target of Judge’s Ire for Failure to Appear in Court on Time
By Destiny Gurrola and Brinda Kalita MODESTO, CA – A homeless woman with disabilities was yelled at…
Preliminary Hearing: Bodycam Footage Appears to Show Former Officer Fired Despite Victim’s Hands Being Raised
By Jariah Moore MODESTO, CA – Bodycam footage of the encounter between former Police Officer Joseph Lamantia…
Judge Changes Charge after Noting Inconsistent Victim Testimony
By Amy Berberyan, Maria Pia Matos, and Belen Avelar MODESTO, CA – Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge…
Statements of Accused’s Mother, Victim Conflict During Preliminary Hearing
By Paloma Sifuentes MODESTO, CA – Testimony of the victim and the accused’s mother—also the victim’s mother—conflicted…
Defense in Prelim Argues Potential Misidentification; Judge Disagrees, Finds Sufficient Evidence to Proceed to Trial in Armed Robbery Case
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Shawn Bessey found sufficient evidence to…
Defense Argues Reasonable Doubt in Attempted Murder of Girlfriend Prelim; Judge Disagrees, Finds Sufficient Evidence to Proceed to Trial
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – In a case involving a gunshot wound of a victim hesitant…
Judge Denies Defense Motion for Closed Hearing, Finds Sufficient Evidence to Bring Child Sexual Abuse Case to Trial
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – Judge Shawn Bessey denied a man’s motion requesting a closed hearing…
Defense Requests Bail in Homicide Case, Judge Sets It at $3.5 Million and Permits Accused to Travel Outside of County for Work
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – Judge Shawn Bessey set the accused’s bail for $3.5 million in…
Defense Objects to Prosecution Requirement, but Takes Deal for Client
By Leila Katibah MODESTO, CA – During an early case management hearing here in Stanislaus County Superior…
Judge Rejects Defense Argument Victim Is Too Old to Request Anonymity in Court, Grants Prosecution Motion Providing Alleged Victim Anonymity
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – In Stanislaus County Superior Court Dept. 7, Judge Kellee C. Westbrook…
Judge Grants Continuance for Man in Drug Rehab on Word of Defense Attorney
By Michael Apfel MODESTO, CA – In a late Friday afternoon early case management conference in Stanislaus…
Multiple Witness Testimonies Piece Together Night of Stalked Victim’s Homicide
By Citlalli Florez MODESTO, CA – Juan Francisco Ibarra-Tapia’s preliminary hearing for murder wrapped up here in…
Woman Facing Felony DUI Represents Self in Jury Trial, Claims Officials Targeting Her over Family Court Matters
By Leila Katibah MODESTO, CA – The accused, a mother representing herself in a jury trial in…
