D.A. Bob Lee's Bigtop Felony Follies Stalls Into Summer

Gabriella Ripley-Phipps (whose attorney is Shaneen Porter) and Becky Johnson (attorney Dan Clymo) will be going into their Preliminary Hearing together in Dept. 6 Monday June 25th at 9 AM. Both were ordered to appear on Friday June 22nd at 9 AM (same courtroom) for a readiness hearing. As I understand it, both women are eager to put these cases behind us (as we all are) and don't want to wait until August 20th (prep on August 17th) when the judge scheduled Preliminary Hearings for me, Desiree Foster, and Brent Adams.

At the prior Preliminary Hearings, Judge Burdick, confronted with contradictory testimony by Detective Gunter, called what he said "not credible". And, of course, he dismissed 4 cases. Becky Johnson has long asserted that she was never in the building, indicating that the chief witness--the notorious Downtown anti-homeless officer Winston is either lying or mistaken.

Franklin (“Angel”) Alcantara (attorney Rubin) goes to Preliminary Hearing on Monday July 2nd in Dept. 6--not sure but I think it's probably 9 AM

Cameron Laurendau was arraigned yesterday, and his records are not yet available--so I wasn't able to determine when his Preliminary Hearing is slated for--if it's been set at all.

D.A. Rebekah Young apparently tried to disqualify Judge Burdick in the Alcantara and Laurendau cases, sending the cases to Judge Salazar in Dept. 3,

I hope the defendants will have direct access to the long-promised 20 hours of video by next week.

These dates are subject to a motion to consolidate and all kinds of other uncertainties, such as the need for more discovery, witness and police availability, etc. But that's all the info I have at present.


A forum and support event for Desiree Foster of the SC-11 will be held Sunday July 1st 3-6 at India Joze restaurant.

Supporters of the Santa Cruz Eleven are also planning a rally and march on Friday July 6, details TBA.

Thanks to the dozen supporters who showed up for yet another "attorneys get paid, defendants get screwed" round.

J. Pasko has presented her take on the latest at http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_20814131/case-continues-those-still-charged-river-street-bank .

For more info go to http://www.santacruzeleven.org or review prior stories on this website.

As ever, the opinions and info on this site come from me and represent my take on things. Feel free to comment and correct.