HEARINGS: Judge says outside conversation won’t impact trial

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California’s Welfare and Institutions Code grants members of the public the same right to attend juvenile hearings for certain serious crimes — including murder and manslaughter — as they would for adult defendants.

At a hearing Wednesday attended by representatives of The Davis Enterprise and The Sacramento Bee, who opposed the defense motion, Beronio entered the courtroom prepared to deny the closure request based on that law, but invited further comments from attorneys.

Prosecuting attorney Jennifer McHugh objected to the closure, noting that several articles referenced in Avalos’ own motion showed “simply factual and accurate news reporting on a very small scale, and nothing that approaches the level where the court should even consider closing.”

Avalos, meanwhile, called the media coverage of the case “inflammatory and negative.” She argued that the amount of community attention the incident has generated on news and social media platforms is “deeply prejudicial” and could possibly taint the judge’s decision-making.

“It just seems like so much of the discussion has been about punitive measures — how can the court completely dissociate itself from that?” Avalos said. “It is very difficult for the family, for the minor and for counsel to believe this is going to be a fair proceeding.”

That struck a nerve with the judge, who responded after serving 34 years on the bench, she knows not to be swayed by media coverage or