Depending on expert witness availability, there may again be a change of dates but for now, Kayla Brown's jury trial scheduled for November 27 at 9:15. Trial confirmation is November 15 at 8:30.
Brown is charged with charged with four counts of alleged abuse including abnormal sexual interest in children. Victim is a female minor.
Due to courtroom unavailability, the former Miss Hoopa' jury trial for March 20 was vacated. Jury trial for June 19 was also vacated. A trial setting for today at 8:30 was scheduled in Courtroom 1.
Mr. Ben McLaughlin is representing Brown. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is prosecuting the case.
The first coverage of this case was on this blog in March 2015. Since then, regular, detailed coverage of this case has only been on this blog. There have been previous attempts to resolve the case and various reasons for continuance. Today, as well, no other media was in court.
Family members and friends representing the alleged victim as well as Brown have been at court hearings.
This case was filed in April 2015. The judges of Humboldt county simply refuse to protect a victim's right, explicitly granted in the state constitution, to a speedy trial:
ReplyDeleteMarsy’s Law significantly expands the rights of victims in California. Under Marsy’s Law, the California Constitution article I, § 28, section (b) now provides victims with the following enumerated rights:
--To a speedy trial and a prompt and final conclusion of the case and any related post-judgment proceedings.
https://oag.ca.gov/victimservices/content/bill_of_rights
Find one ruling, just one, where a Humboldt judge has denied a defense motion to continue saying "sorry, that reason is not good enough to overcome the victim's constitutional right to a speedy trial". They never do. They never mention it. They are all about the defendant's rights, and will assert those rights for the defense from the bench if the defense drops the ball, but the victim? pffft.