John Chiv: One sex offense preliminary continued because prosecutor is currently in trial prosecuting a convicted sex offender

Feb 16, 2022

One sex offense preliminary continued because prosecutor is currently in trial prosecuting a convicted sex offender

On February 14, the District Attorney's office made a motion to continue alleged child molestor Manuel Garcia Avalos preliminary hearing to 3/28/22.

Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian represents Avalos. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor and she is currently in trial on another sex offense case.

3/28: Due to new discovery, defense requested preliminary hearing be continued. It was rescheduled for 4/18.

4/18: Preliminary continued again by defense. Setting of preliminary scheduled for 5/16.

5/16: Setting continued to 6/7/22 defense requested continuance to receive further discovery.

6/7: Avalos medically unavailable to attend court. Setting of preliminary hearing continued to 10/6/22

10/5: DA's motion to continue granted. No objection by defense. 10/6/22 date vacated. Preliminary hearing scheduled for 11/8.

11/8: Preliminary hearing continued to 1/10/23; defense request granted because discovery just provided.

1/10/23: Motion to continue preliminary hearing requested by DA granted. Rescheduled for 3/6.

3/6/24: Preliminary hearing continued to 3/27. Oral motion to continue by DA was granted.

3/27: Preliminary hearing set for 5/8.

5/8: Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian ill. Preliminary hearing continued to June 5.

6/5: Preliminary hearing continued by defense to 9/11 due to possible resolution.

9/11: Preliminary hearing was continued to 10/17 by defense. Still negotiating a resolution. On 9/8 defense made offer which was not stated on record.

10/17: On 10/16, defense filed another motion to continue which was granted. Preliminary hearing rescheduled for 10/30.

10/30: Preliminary hearing continued to 12/18.

12/18: Preliminary hearing continued by DA to 1/22/24. Time estimate 5 hours.