Adrian Gonzalez lawsuit to stay in Santa Cruz County – Santa Cruz Sentinel

SANTA CRUZ — Adrian “AJ” Gonzalez’s attorney failed to meet her burden of proof to have her client’s trial moved to another county, a judge ruled Thursday.

In making the decision, Santa Cruz County Superior Court Judge Denine Guy said she considered arguments related to the nature and seriousness of the case, the nature and extent of media coverage, the size of the community and the community status of Gonzalez and his victim. , 8-year-old Madyson “Maddy” Middleton.

“We have found jurors in Santa Cruz County to be conscientious, interested, intelligent and committed to their participation in democracy,” Guy said.

Defense attorney Athena Reis argued that the nature and seriousness of the 9-year-old case was a significant basis for her request for a change of venue. She, the facts of the case are “incredibly incendiary, inflammatory”.

“I can’t think of another case that has really captured the attention and sentiment of the local community more than the case before the court today,” Reis said of her local legal experience.

Reis added that she believes it would be “an impossible task” to find an unbiased jury to assess his rehabilitation.

Chief Deputy District Attorney Tara George countered that the seriousness of Gonzalez’s original charges would remain regardless of the community that served as the venue for the trial. She argued that Gonzalez was not entitled to “forum shop” and had a heavy burden of proof to move the case.

“For us to imply that because of this crime, this community couldn’t be fair with the question we’re being asked is frankly offensive to the members of this community,” George said.