State Should Try Jurist for Fairness, Judge Rules
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A judge ruled that the state attorney general should prosecute Superior Court Judge Diana Hall for alleged violations of the California Political Reform Act to make sure she gets a fair trial.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jack Ryan said the questioning conducted by the district attorney’s office in last year’s unrelated criminal trial against Hall created a potential conflict in the pending case. Ryan is presiding over the case to avoid a conflict among Santa Barbara County jurists.
The district attorney’s office had earlier asked for the state to take over.
Hall faces eight misdemeanor charges stemming from an undisclosed $20,000 contribution to her 2002 reelection campaign by former live-in lover Deidra Dykeman. Hall pleaded not guilty.
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