Skordas questions waiver ruling
Workman, who is running for re-election and is on a paid leave of absence until her criminal misuse of public funds charge is adjudicated, desperately wants to have her trial before the general election.
"I guess if you're an accused murderer facing five years to life in prison the state will honor your request, but if you're an accused Republican the state won't," attorney Greg Skordas said.
Workman supporters point to a statement made by assistant district attorney Robert Stott in the Hacking case: "It's not our right to give away," he said of the preliminary hearing. "We can't control it. It's the defendant's right to waive."
"Bob Stott was exactly right," Skordas said. "There are good-faith reasons why the state would not consent (to waiver of a preliminary hearing), but there are no such reasons in this case."
But special deputy district attorney Mike Martinez, who is prosecuting the Workman case, points out that, according to Utah court rules, he can object to a waiver for whatever reason or no reason at all.
"(Workman's attorneys) admit three different times in their own brief that I don't have to have a reason to withhold consent," he said.
One of the instances Martinez points to includes Skordas' written statement, "just because something is permissible does not make it right."
Skordas says legitimate reasons to object to waiver might include a witness for the prosecution possibly changing his testimony before trial, pushing the prosecution to get that testimony recorded as soon as possible in a preliminary hearing.
In Workman's case, however, "I think it's pretty obvious what's going on," Skordas said, referring to his client's theory that Martinez and District Attorney David Yocom, a Democrat, is trying to delay the trial past the election to ensure Workman's defeat.
Martinez says white-collar-crime cases are different from others and says a preliminary hearing is necessary because Workman refuses to admit her guilt in the case.
Third District Judge Robert Hilder has scheduled a hearing Thursday to consider Workman's motion to dismiss the case and Martinez's motion to install a gag order.
Martinez says Workman is trying to taint the jury pool in her favor through her political advertisements.
E-mail: aedwards@desnews.com
Comments
- Dispose of old TVs 10:16 a.m.
- Man killed in motorcycle crash 10:16 a.m.
- Man pleads guilty in fatal crash 10:02 a.m.
- 16 killed in Somalia 9:23 a.m.
- Mass funeral for massacre victims 9:22 a.m.
- Obama: 'Africa not separate' 9:20 a.m.
- Former cop seeks parole 9:17 a.m.
- 5 hurt in latest Pamplona bull run 8:49 a.m.
- Delay in Jackson guardianship case 8:47 a.m.
- Attempted murder case refiled 1:58 a.m.
- Jazz brass debate Millsap match
- LDS seminary principal arrested
- 2 men cited on LDS plaza
- Jazz finances not quite so bleak
- HBO defends U. logo use in 'Love'
- Reactions on Boozer speculation
- Cash for Clunkers to get rolling soon
- Utahns among Texans' investors
- Man spots his stolen car
- Jazz rookies quiet Thunder youngsters
- LDS seminary principal arrested
203 - Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
141 - Jazz talking Boozer trade?
137 - Jazz brass debate Millsap match
133 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
123 - Stadium of Fire flag burning was fake
95 - 2 men cited on LDS plaza
88 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
76 - Letters: Single-payer system best
75
As more and more dads are put out of work in this economy, I've been...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
It should come as no surprise that American and British casualties have...
Millsap will be an average player in Portland. Roy runs that team and the...
I had to re-read the article after reading these posts. I didn't read...
Many people obviously love Brother Pratt, but my heart goes out to his...
Why does inacceptable behavior become justifiable under the guise of...
I hope I am not speaking too quickly, but in the about ten comments I have...
It is ZION for your information---- for now anyway. Secede?? Why should we...
We could pull out of this recession by extending the Bush tax cuts that are...
| 9:21 a.m. July 10, 2009 I'm not surprised to hear that Sen Bennett is...
It ain't over till the fat lady gets the red dress.


You can be the first to comment on this story.