This afternoon, trial setting and a motion to compel discovery was scheduled in Courtroom 5 for the former assistant court manager, Socorro Cervantes, who is charged with allegedly embezzling $100,000 from the local Court's operation department.
Today, Visiting Judge Dennis Buckley subbed for Judge Hinrichs. DDA Meagan O'Connell is now representing Cervantes. And DDA Roger Rees is taking over prosecution of the case. Cervantes spent her time in court and outside court, before her case was called, socializing with friends, saying hi to attorneys and some court staff laughing as if she was out at a social gathering. The District Attorney staff was professional and did not engage in any interaction.
DDA Brie Bennett who was in Courtroom 5 requested that the court date be continued because Mr. Rees was "out unexpectedly" today. Ms. O'Connell mentioned that there were still "several items of discovery missing" and that the People had not responded to her motion to compel discovery which had been filed on February 20. She also requested that her client be excused from appearing tomorrow. Ms. O'Connell and Cervantes had an ex-parte conference with the Judge.
The saga continues tomorrow at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 5. At the same time, the Jason Warren case is scheduled in another courtroom.
There has been no follow-up on this case in the media since 2013. No follow-up after my last post and no other media present today.
Jan 27, 2015 post:
Trial setting for former assistant court manager charged with allegedly embezzling approximately $100,000 from local court's operation department
A trial setting was scheduled this afternoon at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 5 for Socorro Maria Cervantes, former assistant court manager, who is charged with allegedly embezzling almost $100,000 from the Humboldt County Superior Court's operations department.
The Public Defender's office is representing Cervantes. Today, the attorney representing her was not in court but Ms. Jennifer Dixon, on behalf of her colleague told Visiting Judge Arvid Johnson that they had a petition to compel discovery. DDA Zach Curtis said "my office received a motion today, we are requesting time to respond." Judge Johnson said that the People's response needed to be filed by March 20. The next court date is March 17 at 2 p.m. in Courtroom 5.
Link to Times-Standard 2013 article:
http://www.times-standard.com/general-news/20131007/fortuna-woman-pleads-not-guilty-in-100k-court-embezzlement-case
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.