A federal judge on Tuesday dropped a fifth criminal case over the court’s pandemic-related ban on jury trials, dismissing drug, gun and immigration charges against a man jailed for nearly 15 months while defending the neighboring Orange County Superior Court’s ongoing trial procedures.
U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney, whose offices are in Santa Ana, agreed with Jose Reyes’ lawyer that the Central District of California’s indefinite halting of jury trials violates Reyes’ constitutional right to a speedy trial.
“I don’t feel reasonable people can disagree about the unconstitutionality of the indefinite suspension,” Carney said during a hearing Tuesday.
Orange County federal judge dismisses criminal cases over lack of jury trials
U.S. District Judge Cormac J. Carney, pictured in 2018.
(Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)
By Meghann M. Cuniff
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On what would be the first of three occasions in three days, U.S. District Judge Cormac Carney looked into his computer screen one recent January morning and apologized to a criminal defendant for the courthouse’s pandemic-related prohibition on in-person hearings. Then he repeated a move that had already drawn sharp objection from federal prosecutors: He announced the dismissal of all charges, part of a constitutional stance he said has left him feeling isolated and frustrated.
Jeffrey Olsen started giving toys and food to people in need in 1989 Author: Jeff Zevely (Reporter) Updated: 1:02 PM MST December 25, 2020
VISTA, Calif. For more than three decades, a man known as the Toy Man has opened his heart and wallet to help veterans and families in need every holiday season. In this Zevely Zone, Jeffrey Olsen told me he is honoring his father with this year s act of kindness.
Jeffrey s living room was filled with brand new dolls, toy cars and jackets. He is giving them all to children in need. Starting back in 1989, Jeffrey has made tens of thousands of donations. I helped out 53,184 people, said Jeffrey.
Jeffrey Olsen doesn’t have a car. He doesn’t own a smart phone, and he dresses simply. The 57-year-old Vista resident lives in his parents’ home where he serves as his mother’s caregiver.
Yet every year he gives away thousands and thousands of dollars worth of food, toys, clothing and gifts to county residents who are less fortunate.
On Thursday, 200 active duty military or their spouses will visit the Armed Services YMCA tables at the Naval Base San Diego housing rec center to pick up a new coat, parka or sweater wrapped in clear plastic with a size marked on the outside. About 100 homeless veterans in downtown San Diego likewise will be offered new jackets. All courtesy of Jeffrey Olsen.