If you've been following our coverage of the Tim Lambesis trial, you know that it was officially scheduled to kick off on October 22nd, but that didn't happen. For the last few weeks, I've been trying to get any sort of info on what was going on to no avail. Today, we finally have an update.
Just to recap, if you've been living under a rock this year: Lambesis was arrested on May 7th for attempting to hire a hitman to murder his wife. The supposed hitman ended up being an undercover cop. Lambesis, who pleaded not guilty, is currently out on $2 million bond after paying $160,000 to a bail bondsman. Lambesis has been on house arrest since release, with few exceptions.
At a preliminary hearing in September, the judge declared that Lambesis would stand trial, and it was scheduled to kick off on Oct. 22nd, but that was delayed.
The investigative sleuths at Lambgoat have gotten some new info, the trial is delayed because Lambesis' attorney was held up with another case and the judge permitted a delay. The next hearing date is now set for this Wednesday, November 13th at the North County Superior Courthouse in Vista, CA, where Lambesis will appear in front of Judge Aaron Katz for an "arraignment on information" hearing.
Lambgoat also got comment from Vista criminal defense attorney Vincent Ross to explain what that type of hearing entails:
"After the preliminary examination, if the case is bound over for trial, the complaint (the document setting forth the charges against you) is deemed an 'information'. The complaint has now been supported by some evidence. [The defendent] will be arraigned again on the 'information'. [The defendent] will enter a plea of not guilty to the charges and allegations. The prosecutor may amend the information to conform to facts proved at the preliminary examination by the probable cause standard."
It's presumed that Lambesis will once again plead not guilty and another pre-trial hearing will be scheduled. It sounds like this Wednesday will be a formality, but regardless, we will keep checking our San Diego sources and as soon as any news breaks from the trial, we will report it.
Catch up on our previous coverage of the trial here.
