By Virginia Hennessey
Monterey Herald
May 1, 2009
http://www.montereyherald.com/local/ci_12270677
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| The Rev. Antonio Cortes, shown April 20, will have three defense lawyers. |
Delayed as suspect adds attorney
A preliminary hearing for a Salinas priest accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old boy was delayed this week because a third attorney is joining his defense team.
The Rev. Antonio Cortes, 41, has been represented by father and son defenders Miguel and J. Hernandez. Lead attorney Miguel Hernandez said a group of Cortes' supporters came to him this week and asked if he would let attorney Eugene Martinez join in the priest's defense.
Cortes, the suspended pastor of St. Mary of the Nativity Church, is charged with sodomy involving a minor, a felony; two felony counts of possession of child pornography; and 12 misdemeanor counts that include child molestation, furnishing alcohol to a minor, cruelty to a child, and performing an immoral act before a child.
He has pleaded innocent to the charges. While his supporters apparently are paying for his defense, Cortes remains in Monterey County Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail.
Hernandez said this week he would not waive Cortes' right to a preliminary hearing within 10 days of his arraignment and would force prosecutor Rolando Mazariegos to present probable-cause evidence this morning.
On Wednesday, he agreed to delay the hearing until May 22 to allow Martinez to get up to speed in the case. Hernandez said it is the first time he and Martinez, both longtime Salinas defense lawyers, will join forces for the same defendant.
He said he assumes the "vociferous" group who asked him to take on Martinez as co-counsel are parishioners at St. Mary Church.
Virginia Hennessey can be reached at 753-6751 or vhennessey@montereyherald.com
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