This is the latest email that Jan sent about today's events:
The pre-trial conference was scheduled for 9:30 today. Serial cat killer Scott Graham was not present and was represented by defense attorney Jeremy Phillips http://www.jeremyphillipslaw.com/index.html Amy Kalis, Lucy Linder, Jeanette Owen, Nate Reynard, Constance Rossman, Joey Smigel, and I were present. Assistant Prosecutor Mary Bevilacqua met with us outside the courtroom and explained what was going on. The defense had filed another motion yesterday, April 9, for yet another continuation.
I was given the opportunity to address the court on behalf of the victims. In addition to the families who lost their cats, other concerned community members, such as myself, consider themselves victims because of the mental anguish we have endured due to the actions of Graham and certain City staff.
Before listening to our feelings, Judge Lue Sang made it known to us that she has not read any of the communications sent to her regarding this case, and that includes the police report. She stated she cannot read, look at, or listen to anything regarding the case until the case is actually tried. So I was not able to say anything about the facts of the case, only about our frustration and mental duress. Phillips claimed he needed yet another continuance in order to complete all of his interviews with witnesses.
The judge did deny defense's motion for another continuance and set the Trial Management Conference for May 15 and the Trial for May 23, the times unknown at this time. There will be no jury; the case will be decided by the judge.
Lucy and I then went to the Mesa Police Dept. with a copy of the police report. It was positive. The officer at the front desk gave us the chain of command and the names and nos. of the superiors of the officers whose actions were problematic and resulted in the mishandling of the case. Lucy and I will talk Friday to make sure we have our issues with the investigation and police report clearly defined before she (Mesa resident) requests face-to-face meetings with the officers' superiors.
Thank you to those who came out today for the animals and the victim families.
Jan McClellan
480-855-4603 home
New: 602-579-9473 cell
