Overview
- U.S. District Judge Margaret Garnett tentatively set jury selection for Sept. 8, with the trial timing dependent on whether the case proceeds as capital, and said a detailed scheduling order will follow.
- Defense urged dismissal of the murder-through-use-of-a-firearm count and a separate firearms charge, arguing the stalking predicates are not “crimes of violence,” while prosecutors said the charges meet the statutory requirements.
- Attorney Paresh Patel argued stalking cannot serve as the violent-crime predicate for the firearm-murder count; prosecutors called his hypotheticals irrelevant and said the case involves intentional, targeted conduct.
- The judge took the dismissal issues under advisement and indicated a written decision is forthcoming, with the next federal court date set for Jan. 30.
- Defense sought to suppress backpack contents recovered at arrest and pushed for an evidentiary hearing; the judge signaled no hearing is needed for now as prosecutors defended the searches and warrant as lawful, and prosecutors also rejected claims that Attorney General Pam Bondi has a conflict of interest.