INDICTMENT OVERHAUL SOUGHT RULING LEAVES GRAND JURY SYSTEM IN DISARRAY.Byline: Sabrina Decker Staff Writer VENTURA - Ventura County District Attorney Michael Bradbury has called for an overhaul of the grand jury process after a judge overturned a murder indictment Noun 1. murder indictment - an indictment charging someone with murder murder charge bill of indictment, indictment - a formal document written for a prosecuting attorney charging a person with some offense because the panel did not reflect the county's population. In a ruling Monday, Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. Superior Court Judge Frank Ochoa said the Ventura County grand jury that indicted INDICTED, practice. When a man is accused by a bill of indictment preferred by a grand jury, he is said to be indicted. Michael Shultz on murder charges was disproportionately male. He said women constituted 51.1 percent of the county's population but only 26.5 percent of the jury pool in 2000-01. Bradbury issued a written statement Tuesday saying he and his staff would not appeal the judge's ruling but would work with the Board of Supervisors and the court to revise the grand jury process for criminal indictment proceedings. Ochoa heard the case because Ventura County judges are involved in the grand jury selection process. His ruling throws into question the future of other recent indictments, including those of Hell's Angel Hell's Angel Noun a member of a motorcycle gang noted for their lawless behaviour George Christie George Christie may refer to:
Admitted Simi Valley rapist Vincent Sanchez also was indicted by the same grand jury on capital murder charges in the slaying of Moorpark College student Megan Barroso. ``Mr. Ziesmer and Mr. Christie were indicted by the same grand jury,'' said their attorney, Richard Loftus. ``As far as I know, it could have far-reaching effects in both of those cases. ``If the basis for the dismissal in Schultz is some reason that made the selection of the grand jury constitutionally infirm INFIRM. Weak, feeble. 2. When a witness is infirm to an extent likely to destroy his life, or to prevent his attendance at the trial, his testimony de bene esge may be taken at any age. 1 P. Will. 117; see Aged witness.; Going witness. or unsound unsound said of an animal, usually a horse, which has been examined for soundness and found to be unsatisfactory. , my opinion is I am absolutely ethically bound to raise the issue in my other cases,'' Loftus said. Neil Quinn, Sanchez's attorney, also has filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, based on the composition of the grand jury. ``We're looking forward to having a forum where we can have some input,'' Quinn said. A grand jury indictment precludes the need for a preliminary hearing, in which prosecutors must prove for a judge that there is sufficient evidence to try the defendant. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion