Judge Recesses Araujo Trial Until Monday

Judge Recesses Araujo Trial Until Monday

Aug. 9, 2005
KGO-TV San Francisco

http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=local&id=3333909

(BCN) - The trial of three East Bay men accused of killing
transgender teenager Gwen Araujo is in recess until Monday, so a
juror could attend to out-of-state personal matters.

Without going into detail, Alameda County Superior Court Judge
Harry Sheppard today released the juror and recessed the trial
until Monday. The judge ordered the juror to return on that day
no later than 9 a.m.

Sheppard said that although there are alternate jurors, "I want
to keep this jury intact."

Including the upcoming recess, Sheppard believes the trial will
conclude by Sept. 9.

This is the second time the 25-year-old suspects Jose Merel,
Jason Cazares and Michael Magidson have stood trial on charges
that they murdered Araujo on Oct. 4, 2002. Their first trial
ended in a hung jury last year.

Magidson's attorney is scheduled to begin his case on Monday
when court is back in session.


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