By Sheila Sanchez
Los Gatos Patch
April 5, 2011
http://losgatos.patch.com/articles/trial-date-changed-to-may-31-for-man-charged-with-beating-los-gatos-priest
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The trial of a San Francisco man accused of beating a priest at the Los Gatos Sacred Heart Jesuit Center last year has been set to begin at 8:30 a.m. May 31 in Dept. 34 of the Santa Clara County Courthouse.
The trial start date had been set for Monday, but, according to Santa Clara County District Attorney spokeswoman Amy Cornell, it was postponed until later next month, as often happens with such proceedings.
Lynch has been arraigned on one count of felony assault with the intent to cause great bodily injury and one count of elder abuse under circumstances likely to produce great bodily harm or death. Authorities say he walked into the center's reception area on May 10, 2010, asked to speak to Father Jerold Lindner, saying he had a death notification about a member of the priest's family, and assaulted him. He has pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney Vicki Gemetti, who is prosecuting the case, said Lynch could face a maximum of five years in prison, if convicted on both charges.
She said the trial was postponed because of scheduling conflicts on both sides and additional investigation work being done by the prosecution. "We're finishing up some investigative aspect of the case," Gemetti said. "It was a mutual request to extend the date. We just weren't going to be ready to appear today."
Lynch was arraigned on the charges in February, and Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge David Cena found enough evidence for Lynch to stand trial. The judge refused to lower the assault charge from a felony to a misdemeanor, as requested by his defense attorney.
"This case is about the fact that there was an assault and a vicious attack on the victim," Gemetti has said.
The prosecutor said that depending on the availability of courtroom space, the case may or may not proceed on May 31. "We may have to be on stand-by status for a day, several days and even weeks, waiting for an available courtroom," she said.
It's not yet known which judge will preside over the trial, Gemetti added.
Calls to Lynch's attorneys, Pat Harris and Mark J. Geragos, of the Los Angeles-based Geragos & Geragos law offices weren't returned by the time of this posting.
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