Fieldbrook double murder suspect waives right to preliminary hearing, case to go to trial

Not looking happy but indicating yes to the Judge, Jason Arreaga waived his right to preliminary hearing.

His attorney Heidi Holmquist said that while the preliminary hearing was waived, it was with the condition the only charges against her client would be the one in original complaint.

In a preliminary hearing, which is held after the defendant has been arraigned, the Judge decides whether there is enough evidence provided by the prosecution to hold the defendant accountable on charges to to stand trial. My guess is that by waiving trial, the defense did not want prosecution to be able to amend and add more charges after the preliminary hearing.

Arreaga is charged with murder in Count 1 of Harley Wayne Hammers and Count 2 murder of Angel Tully , both felonies. Two special allegations for both counts: personally and intentionally discharging a firearm and personally and intentionally discharging a firearm resulting in great bodily injury or death.

Ms. Holmquist spoke with Arreaga before his case was called. He was silent and softly answered yes, when Judge Marilyn Miles asked him if he was waiving his right to a preliminary hearing. Then he mumbled, "I don't like...". Some of us covering the case in the court thought he said, I don't like the way this is going but I understand; others thought he said he did not like the way things were worded.

Wanting to make sure, Judge Miles asked him again, if he wanted to waive his right and if he understood what that meant, he indicated yes again.

Arreaga's arraignment of information for jury trial will be on January 5 at 2 pm in Courtroom 1.

Previous posts:

http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/09/fieldbrook-homicide-suspect-arraigned.html
http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/10/fieldbrook-murder-suspect-preliminary.html
http://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2014/11/fieldbrook-homicide-suspect-jason.html