MULLINS' SENTENCING POSTPONED; NEW DEFENSE ATTORNEY TO SEARCH FOR ANY POSSIBLE MISCONDUCT ON JURY.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Sentencing for Scott Mullins was postponed Friday after he changed lawyers and his new attorney asked for the names of jurors, so they can be contacted by the defense and asked if any misconduct occurred during the trial or deliberation.

Mullins, a 36-year-old unemployed construction worker, was convicted Dec. 1 by a Van Nuys Superior Court jury of second-degree murder in the Aug. 10, 1997, slaying of his wife, Renee, and faces 15 years to life in prison.

``The judge will determine whether they have a right to learn the identities of the jurors,'' Deputy District Attorney Steve Slavitt said.

Juror identities are confidential since a law was passed two years ago, court officials said.

Mullins is now scheduled to appear in court Jan. 7, when a sentencing will be set and the juror motion will be heard, Slavitt said. Mullins replaced his trial attorney, Larry Baker, with Michael Severo, who did not return telephone calls Friday.

Mullins' father, Glen Mullins of Rosamond, said his son got a new attorney because Baker didn't offer evidence during the trial that could have helped his son.

``There were so many things not brought up in Scott's trial,'' the elder Mullins said Thursday. He cited taped statements by the victim's neighbors who said they heard the voices of a man and woman the night of the slaying that incriminated the victim's friends.

Slavitt said the victim's family was disappointed that the sentencing was delayed and accused the defense of litigating the criminal case through the media since the trial.

``The trial has resulted in a conviction. It's disappointing to me they feel they have to go to the press when the defendant has had his right to a trial,'' Slavitt said. ``The family wanted closure to the case. It's very hard for them.''

However, Glen Mullins criticized a letter distributed by the victim's mother, Roberta Kessler, suggesting people write to the court requesting a sentence of life in prison without parole for the defendant.

``(The letters) will accompany Scott as he is imprisoned and will be reviewed each time he comes up for parole,'' Kessler's letter states.

``This is what Roberta Kessler is putting out,'' Glen Mullins said.

Kessler declined to comment Friday on the letter, except to say she gave the letter only to people who were witnesses in the case.

The defendant was linked to the murder through DNA from blood and a broken fingernail found in the victim's apartment in what prosecutors said was a largely circumstantial case.

Scott Mullins had testified that he was at his sister's trailer in Green Valley when his wife was slain. In addition, the defense had argued that Renee Mullins' girlfriend killed her in a jealous rage.