Superior Court Judge Kenneth Shapero scheduled the attempted murder trial of Charles Richard Handley for Aug. 11.
Before the trial begins next week, though, Judge Shapero will re-consider a renewed motion by the defense requesting the court suppress certain incriminating evidence seized from the defendant's home. Judge Ramon allowed the evidence in February, but Handley's private defense attorney, Victor Vertner, claimed police had no right to take some revealing letters.
The trial will begin 1:30 p.m. in Department 90 at the San Martin courthouse in front of Judge Shapero, according to Deputy District Attorney Amir Alem, who said last week's hearing lasted about 45 minutes to an hour.
During the round of preliminary hearings earlier this year, the prosecution and defense debated the exact sequence of events that transpired April 25 at 971 Festa Aglio Court. Early that morning Handley fired a .357 magnum handgun at his former daughter-in-law, Lynda Handley, and her boyfriend, Lynn Ryle.
Vertner tried to lessen the charges to assault with a deadly weapon, but Alem told Judge Ramon he could not disagree more: Alem cited Handley's early morning drive from San Jose to Gilroy, a note he left for his family that implied he planned to kill Lynda Handley and Ryle, the gun he took from his son and the extra ammunition he brought with him.
Vertner argued that his client had the opportunity to kill Lynda Handley multiple times, but did not, and that he never aimed precisely at Ryle, just in his area when he fired two shots at him. Vertner also argued that there was not enough evidence to evince the twists and turns of the struggle that morning, which, he has argued, prevented the prosecution from proving that Handley had the express intent to murder.
County to hold employment fair
The Santa Clara County Social Services Agency is working with local businesses, schools and city and county governments to hold the ninth annual employment resource fair on 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Thursday at Unity Center, 765 Story Road in San Jose. The fair will provide CalWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids) clients access to employers who are ready to hire qualified candidates. More than 40 community and non-profit companies will conduct on-site interviews, accept resumes and meet job applicants.
Sister county commission barbecue
Santa Clara County's USA/Province of Florence, Italy, Sister County Commission is holding its annual barbecue to celebrate the commission's accomplishments. The barbecue will be 5:30 - 9 p.m., Aug. 21 at Guglielmo Winery, 1480 East Main Ave. Tickets for the buffet-style dinner are $50 per person. Those interested in attending should RSVP by Wednesday to Marge Valente at (408) 292-7556.
During the barbecue, the commission will introduce the 2009 Medici Medallion recipients George Chiala, Laura and Sal Liccardo, Julie Riera Matsushima and Diane and Nick Speno. They will be honored at the 2009 Medici Masked Ball, the commission's signature fundraising event.
SJ man accused of scamming elderly victims
A San Jose man was remanded into custody Wednesday after he was arraigned on charges of residential burglary and theft by false pretenses stemming from two separate cases, according to the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office.
Albert Robert Acuna, 55, was initially released after posting bail, but Santa Clara County Judge Thomas Hastings increased his bail to $200,000 and remanded him into custody.
Acuna allegedly knocked on the window of an elderly woman's Santa Clara home and told her he had cleaned her gutters and demanded payment. The woman told police she had never hired him to do the work, but just wanted him to leave, so she wrote him a check. The next day he returned and requested money for yard work she had not asked him to do.
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