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T U E S DAY, J U LY 11, 2 0 2 3
Staying cool Santa Barbara County residents enjoy being outside before heat wave becomes more intense
NEWS-PRESS EXCLUSIVE
Attempted murder suspect back in court today By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS COUNTY EDITOR
DAVE MASON / NEWS-PRESS PHOTOS
A visitor enjoys the cooler conditions Monday at Goleta Beach.
By DAVE MASON NEWS-PRESS MANAGING EDITOR
Enjoy being outside today. The heat wave will ramp up on Wednesday. That’s according to the National Weather Service. So far, the Pacific Coast has benefitted from the ocean breeze during the summer’s first heat wave. On Monday, highs were 74 in Goleta and 78 in Santa Barbara. Up north, Santa Maria saw a high of 73. As you’d expect, things were hotter farther inland. Santa Ynez experienced a high of 86, according to the weather service. Expect another comfortable day today. The weather service predicts sunshine with highs of 74 at UCSB, 77 in Santa Barbara, 72 in Lompoc and 75 in Santa Maria. Again, things will be warmer in Santa Ynez, which is expected to reach a high of 89. But that’s not the worst spot in the county. The weather service predicts Cuyama will experience a high of 99 degrees. Then comes Wednesday. That’s when the weather service is forecasting a high of 80 in Santa Barbara. A high of 82 is expected Thursday through Saturday, a high of 81 on Sunday and a high of 78 on Monday. The weather will be more comfortable at UCSB, with highs in the mid to upper 70s today through July 17. Lompoc will see similar temperatures. One of the most intense parts of the heat wave will happen in Please see HEAT on A4
Above, people of various ages enjoy relaxing at Goleta Beach. Below, these were among the people fishing from the shore.
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Defendant in electronic peeping case scheduled to return to court Justin Asinobi’s lawyer plans to file for pretrial mental health diversion By NEIL HARTSTEIN NEWS-PRESS COUNTY EDITOR
The defendant charged with 26 counts of unlawful electronic peeping is scheduled to return to court later this month for consideration of a probable defense motion to suspend the case and evaluate him for alleged mental health problems. On May 3, Deputy District
Attorney Dalia Granados told the News-Press that Justin Asinobi’s lawyer had announced an intention to file a petition for pretrial mental health diversion. She said both sides had been talking about possible resolutions to the case, but that criminal proceedings against the defendant were halted because of the pending motion. Please see PEEPING on A4
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The man charged with attempted murder for allegedly stabbing a homeless man in the neck in downtown Santa Barbara in January will return to court today for … well, it depends. It could be to set a date for his preliminary hearing. Or, it could be to consider a defense motion to suspend the case while the defendant is evaluated to determine whether he qualifies for pretrial mental health diversion. The defendant, Mitchell Grant Grote, 27, last appeared in court on June 6, but the case was continued until today after his attorney said he wanted to look into filing a possible mental health diversion petition, Senior Deputy District Attorney Kevin Weichbrod told the News-Press. “As of now, defense has not filed a petition” for pretrial mental health diversion, the prosecutor said at the time. “The case was continued for preliminary hearing setting to 7/11/23. “Defense is still gathering records to consider a possible mental health diversion petition. The judge will decide the petition, if filed, on its merits. If it is not filed, we will likely set a preliminary hearing.” According to state statute, a judge may grant a defense motion for pretrial mental health diversion if a defendant meets the eligibility requirements and is suitable for that diversion. First, a qualified mental health expert would have to determine that the defendant had been diagnosed or treated for a qualifying mental disorder within the last five years and that he satisfies the eligibility requirements for pretrial diversion. Second, the mental health expert would have to state that his symptoms caused, contributed to, or motivated the alleged criminal behavior and that he would respond to mental health treatment. Mr. Grote pleaded not guilty at his Jan. 31 arraignment in
connection with the stabbing two days before. He remains in custody on more than $1 million bail. Prosecutors charged him with two felony counts: attempted murder and assault with personal use of a deadly weapon. Mr. Grote “did unlawfully and with malice aforethought attempt to murder a human being,” prosecutors said. They identified the injured man as W. Vankoppen. They charged the defendant’s alleged offenses were serious and violent felonies, and that his actions were “willful, deliberate and premeditated.” The charges carry with them special allegations of use of a deadly weapon, a knife, and causing great bodily injury. Prosecutors also listed aggravating factors, one of which says Mr. Grote’s alleged actions disclosed a “high degree of cruelty, viciousness or callousness.” Santa Barbara police arrested him Jan. 29 after responding earlier in the day to calls reporting an injured and bleeding man near Anacapa and De La Guerra streets. They located the victim, who they described as a middle-aged homeless man. He was suffering from a stab wound to the neck and was quickly transported to Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital by medics. Patrol officers began their investigation, and detectives were called in to assist. Officers from the Community Action Team were able to assist and advance the investigation rapidly due to their relationships with people in the Santa Barbara community who are suffering from homelessness. With information provided by community members, C.A.T. Officers identified Mr. Grote as a suspect, and probable cause was developed to make an arrest, police said. He was found later on Milpas Street and arrested on suspicion of attempted homicide.
Sudoku................. B3 Sports ................... A3 Weather................ A4
Saturday’s SUPER LOTTO: 1-25-44-45-46 Mega: 20
Monday’s DAILY 4: 4-3-0-3
Friday’s MEGA MILLIONS: 8-10-17-55-66 Mega: 3
Monday’s FANTASY 5: 3-8-16-21-36
Monday’s DAILY DERBY: 10-08-02 Time: 1:42.16
Monday’s POWERBALL: 2-24-34-53-58 Meganumber: 13
Monday’s DAILY 3: 8-9-5 / Midday 8-3-9