CA CA - RODNEY HALBOWER, Gypsy Hill Murders, 1976

[Niner]

Update from yesterday, 8/28.

08/28/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:15 AM
Result: Held
Parties Present
Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

08/28/2018 Marsden motion
Judicial Officer: Novak, Lisa A.
Hearing Time: 01:30 PM
Result: Held
Parties Present
Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

08/28/2018 Motion denied.
Comment: Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden

08/28/2018 Previous dates remain as set

08/28/2018 Motion granted.
Comment: Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion

08/28/2018 Defendant ordered to return.
Comment: dressed out

08/28/2018 Confidential Jury Information

08/29/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:15 AM

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, August 29th:
*Trial continues (Day 5) (@ 9:15am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: 08/28/2018 Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).

 

[Niner]

Thursday, August 30th:
*Trial continues (Day 6) (@ 9:15am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30 @ 9:15am

 

[Niner]

Update from yesterday - nothing special, just that it was held. And looks like they will be in the court room today. No "dark" Friday.

• 08/30/2018 Continued Jury Trial
  
  Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
  Hearing Time: 09:15 AM
  Result: Held
  Parties Present:
  Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
  Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN
  
  
• 08/30/2018 Confidential Jury Information
  
  
• 08/31/2018 Continued Jury Trial
  Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
  Hearing Time: 09:15 AM

I'm surprised I haven't seen any articles out there regarding this trial. You would think more people would be interested....
anyway - if anyone on the West coast finds "something" - it would be appreciated.

 

[Niner]

Friday, August 31st:
Trial continues (Day 7) (@ 9:15am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30.
8/30/18 Update: Day 6: Trial continues to 8/31.

 

[Niner]

Update from yesterday, Aug. 31st:

08/30/2018 Motion
Comment: Defense motion to exclude DNA evidence
08/30/2018 Opposition to motion filed
Comment: Defense opposition to prosecution motion to admit prior bad act / prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to E.C. 1101/0018

08/31/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:15 AM
Result: Held
Parties Present:
Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

09/04/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM

 

[Niner]

Tuesday, Sept. 4th:
*Trial continues (Day 8) (@ 9am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty. DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30.
8/30/18 Update: Day 6: Trial continues to 8/31.
8/31/18 Update: Day 7: Defense motion to exclude DNA evidence. Opposition to motion filed. Defense opposition to prosecution motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to E.C. 1101/0018. Trial continues to 9/4.

 

[Niner]

Update from yesterday Sept. 4th:

09/04/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM
Result: Held
Parties Present:
Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

09/04/2018 Non-case party present:
Comment: Sergeant Lisander Lopez

09/04/2018 Defendant ordered to return.
Comment: dressed out

09/05/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:30 AM

 

[Niner]

Wednesday, Sept. 5th:
*Trial continues (Day 9) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty.
DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30.
8/30/18 Update: Day 6: Trial continues to 8/31.
8/31/18 Update: Day 7: Defense motion to exclude DNA evidence. Opposition to motion filed. Defense opposition to prosecution motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to E.C. 1101/0018. Trial continues to 9/4.
9/4/18 Update: Day 8: Trial continues; Non-case party present: Sergeant Lisander Lopez. Trial continues to 9/5

 

[Niner]

Update from yesterday, 9/5:

09/05/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:30 AM
Result: Commenced
Parties Present:
Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

09/05/2018 Non-case party present:
Comment: Sergeant Lisander Lopez

09/06/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:30 AM

09/07/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 6th:
*Trial continues (Day 10) (@ 9:30am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty.
DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30.
8/30/18 Update: Day 6: Trial continues to 8/31.
8/31/18 Update: Day 7: Defense motion to exclude DNA evidence. Opposition to motion filed. Defense opposition to prosecution motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to E.C. 1101/0018. Trial continues to 9/4.
9/4/18 Update: Day 8: Trial continues; Non-case party present: Sergeant Lisander Lopez. Trial continues to 9/5.
9/5/18 Update: Day 9: Trial continues; Non-case party present: Sergeant Lisander Lopez. Trial continues to 9/6 & 9/7.

 

[Niner]

Update for yesterday, 9/6:

09/05/2018 Memorandum
Comment: The people's memorandum of law regarding the admissibility of DNA evidence

09/06/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:30 AM
Result: Held
Parties Present: Defendant: HALBOWER, RODNEY LYNN
Attorney: HALLEY, JOHN

09/07/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 7th:
*Trial continues (Day 11) (@ 9:00am PT) - CA - Veronica Anne Cascio (18) & Paula Baxter (17) (San Mateo County Jan. 7, 1976/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (68) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 1st degree murder. Plead not guilty.
DNA match after 40 years. Trial started 8/22/18.
11/8/17: San Mateo Pros announced DNA evidence points to a different person for the April 1, 1976 killing of Denise Lampe (19) to Leon Melvin Seymour (71) was formally charged with murder. Seymour is already in custody as "inmate-patient" in Coalinga State Hospital. DNA evidence also linked Halbower to Michelle Mitchell (Feb. 1976) in Reno. He was incarcerated at the time of Lampe's murder. Tanya Blackwell (14) on Jan. 24, 1976 & Carol Lee Booth (26) on March 15, 1976 remain unsolved, insufficient DNA evidence.
8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.
8/21/18 Update: Conference held, defendant ordered to appear on 8/22/18 for start of trial.
8/22/18 Update: Day 1: State submits Witness List, People's motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to evidence code sections 1101/1108, State’s Motions in Limine Filed, State’s Trial Brief, Defense's motion to exclude prior convictions, alleged misconduct or bad character evidence regarding defendant, Defendant's motion to exclude defendant's interrogation.
8/23/18 Update: Day 2: Non-case party present: The people's investigating officer: Lisander Lopez.
8/27/18 Update: Day 3: Investigating Officer: Lisander Lopez. Motions in Limine Filed: Defense's motion in limine to exclude statements of Shirley Anderson. Defendant ordered to return, dressed out. Motion denied: Moving party: Defendant's oral Motion title: for another Faretta motion. (Faretta v. California, 422 U.S. 806 (1975), was a case in which the Supreme Court of the United States held that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to refuse counsel and represent themselves in state criminal proceedings).
8/28/18 Update: Day 4: Defense files Marsden Motion. Motion denied. Moving party: Defense Motion title: Marsden. Motion granted. Moving party: defendant's Motion title: Marsden motion. (A Marsden motion is the only means by which a criminal defendant can fire a court-appointed attorney or communicate directly with a judge in a California state court).
8/29/18 Update: Day 5: Trial continues to 8/30.
8/30/18 Update: Day 6: Trial continues to 8/31.
8/31/18 Update: Day 7: Defense motion to exclude DNA evidence. Opposition to motion filed. Defense opposition to prosecution motion to admit prior bad act/prior sexual assault evidence pursuant to E.C. 1101/0018. Trial continues to 9/4.
9/4/18 Update: Day 8: Trial continues; Non-case party present: Sergeant Lisander Lopez. Trial continues to 9/5.
9/5/18 Update: Day 9: Trial continues; Non-case party present: Sergeant Lisander Lopez. Trial continues to 9/6 & 9/7.
9/6/18 Update: Day 10: for 9/5 Memorandum-Comment: The people's memorandum of law regarding the admissibility of DNA evidence; trial continues to 9/7.

 

[Niner]

Wow! Surprised this morning to see an actually article on this case! And here along I thought the trial HAD started! Glad we have an update!

Suspect yells 'I am not guilty' to jury as trial starts

REDWOOD CITY — A career criminal accused by authorities of raping and killing six women in the 1970s yelled “I am not guilty!” to a jury at the start of his trial Friday for two of the killings.

Rodney Halbower also yelled “I have never raped or murdered in my life!” to the jury in an outburst that briefly disrupted court proceedings, led to a request for a mistrial by his lawyer and claims by a prosecutor that the outburst was staged.
[.....]
After Halbower’s outburst, Judge Mark Forcum denied several motions for a mistrial made by Halbower’s attorney, John Halley.

“He doesn’t get to set up his own mistrial,” said Forcum.
[.....]
Prosecutor Sean Gallagher said he believed Halbower was purposely seeking a mistrial and vowed to talk over his outbursts during opening statements.

Gallagher told the jury about the two teen girls who were abducted, raped and killed in a once-tranquil suburb and that DNA from semen found in both women and preserved for decades matched Halbower’s DNA. One of the victims was stabbed to death and the other one was beaten in the head with concrete and stabbed in her heart.
[.....]
Court records show Halbower has spent the last 53 years in prison or on the lam after escaping.
[.....]
The report said Halbower “feels that he is pretty accomplished, that he should be able to teach, that he has a great many qualifications” and yearned to be a famous artist or a rock-and-roll star.

more in article.

 

[Niner]

Update from yesterday, 9/7:

09/07/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM
Result: Held - adding - Opening Statements


09/10/2018 Continued Jury Trial
Judicial Officer: Forcum, Mark R.
Hearing Time: 09:00 AM



link: Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo

 

[YESorNO]

Reno family wants justice for Michelle Mitchell (with clip)

"The news of Michelle’s death in February 1976. Her hands tied, her throat slit, and left to die in a residential garage just outside the UNR campus.

They thought the case was closed when a woman named Cathy Woods confessed to the crime. She was tried and convicted twice.

But DNA left at the murder scene exonerated Woods in 2014, and instead implicated Rodney Halbower.

Michelle's mother and father, long deceased, went to their graves never knowing the real truth behind their daughter's murder.

That's why her sisters and best friend are watching proceedings in a San Mateo Superior Courtroom.

“It was our sister’s life that was taken. We feel strongly that he should be held accountable for it,” says Michelle’s sister Martha...."

Reno family wants justice for Michelle Mitchell
---

KILLING TIME: Michelle Mitchell and the Gypsy Hill Murders

May 14, 2014

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Niner]

re your article above - in my notes I have this:

8/5/18 Update: After trial will be transported to Nevada to face charges of murder & kidnapping of Michelle Mitchell.

So it looks like he WILL be tried for her murder.

 

[Niner]

Oops - already posted....

 

[Niner]

An article about Friday's court.

Man accused as Gypsy Hill serial killer has a lot to say on first day of trial

good article on what went on in court!

 

[Niner]

Monday, Sept. 10th:
*Trial continues (Day 12) (@ 9:00am PT) - CA - Veronica “Ronnie” Anne Cascio (18) (found Jan. 8, 1976) & Paula Baxter (17) (found Feb. 4, 1976) (San Mateo County/Gypsy Hill Murders) - Rodney Lynn Halbower (60/27 @ time of crime) arrested (11/20/17) & arraigned (4/11/17) with 2 counts of 1st degree murder & rape. Plead not guilty.
DNA match in 2014 after 40 years; he was in prison in Oregon @ this time). Trial started 8/22/18.

I'm going to skip over ALL the court dates - to the newest one... it's long!

9/7/18 Update: Day 11: Opening statements begin. A career criminal accused by authorities of raping & killing six women in the 1970s yelled “I am not guilty!” to a jury at the start of his trial Friday for two of the killings. Halbower also yelled “I have never raped or murdered in my life!” to the jury in an outburst that briefly disrupted court proceedings, led to a request for a mistrial by his lawyer and claims by a prosecutor that the outburst was staged. After Halbower’s outburst, Judge Mark Forcum denied several motions for a mistrial made by Halbower’s attorney, John Halley. Trial continues on 9/10.