Coronavirus impact on courts and uncertainty of co- defendant's trial leads to another continuance for Catherine Fode

Setting of Catherine Fode's sentencing was scheduled for June 30; it was continued to August 17.

Fode was the first defendant to plead guilty in the Manila 5 case. She may testify at co-defendant Cesar Valenzuela's trial which is scheduled in August.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor for this case. Mr. Steven Steward appeared for her on the case today. The People requested that if a date is set for sentencing today, it be after August.

Mr. Neal Sanders is Fode's attorney. He told Judge Christopher Wilson, "My concern is we set these dates" and then Valenzuela's jury trial gets continued.
Mr. Sanders requested setting of sentencing be continued to mid August.

Judge Wilson agreed with Mr. Sanders. He said given the current situation with the coronavirus pandemic and the uncertainty of when Valenzuela's jury trial will proceed, another setting date should be scheduled.
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