Post by happyhaddock on Sept 22, 2006 12:09:55 GMT -5
Judge delays trial in case of bodies dumped in Calif. reservoir
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A federal judge has temporarily halted the trial of two Russian immigrants who prosecutors say orchestrated a kidnapping-for-ransom scheme that ended with five bodies dumped in a Northern California reservoir.
U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian said Thursday that he would grant a two-week delay because defense attorney Bill Callahan had fractured his skull in a fall at his home.
Callahan is one of two attorneys representing Iouri Mikhel, who along with Jurijus Kadamovas has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy and hostage-taking resulting in death.
Since both men could face the death penalty if convicted, rules call for defendants to be represented by two attorneys.
Instead of delaying the trial, the judge could have declared a mistrial. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Dugdale said that would be "a huge waste of resources."
The judge set an Oct. 6 hearing to see if Callahan would be able to return for the Oct. 10 restart date.
Authorities allege Mikhel, 41, and Kadamovas, 39, orchestrated the kidnapping and eventual killing of real estate developer Meyer Muscatel; Russian banking mogul George Safiev; Safiev's accountant Rita Peckler; Safiev's business partner Nick Kharabadze; and Alexander Umansky, who owned a car accessory business.
Prosecutors said the motive was greed, with Mikhel and Kadamovas planning to spend ransom money on expensive cars and luxury homes.
Another defendant, Petro Krylov, is scheduled for trial in January after pleading not guilty.
If the Russians can't keep bodies down in deep, fresh water, how the hell could Scott in shallow, salt water?
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - A federal judge has temporarily halted the trial of two Russian immigrants who prosecutors say orchestrated a kidnapping-for-ransom scheme that ended with five bodies dumped in a Northern California reservoir.
U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian said Thursday that he would grant a two-week delay because defense attorney Bill Callahan had fractured his skull in a fall at his home.
Callahan is one of two attorneys representing Iouri Mikhel, who along with Jurijus Kadamovas has pleaded not guilty to charges including conspiracy and hostage-taking resulting in death.
Since both men could face the death penalty if convicted, rules call for defendants to be represented by two attorneys.
Instead of delaying the trial, the judge could have declared a mistrial. However, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Dugdale said that would be "a huge waste of resources."
The judge set an Oct. 6 hearing to see if Callahan would be able to return for the Oct. 10 restart date.
Authorities allege Mikhel, 41, and Kadamovas, 39, orchestrated the kidnapping and eventual killing of real estate developer Meyer Muscatel; Russian banking mogul George Safiev; Safiev's accountant Rita Peckler; Safiev's business partner Nick Kharabadze; and Alexander Umansky, who owned a car accessory business.
Prosecutors said the motive was greed, with Mikhel and Kadamovas planning to spend ransom money on expensive cars and luxury homes.
Another defendant, Petro Krylov, is scheduled for trial in January after pleading not guilty.
If the Russians can't keep bodies down in deep, fresh water, how the hell could Scott in shallow, salt water?