The Region - News from July 2, 1985

Defense motions to dismiss molestation charges against teachers in the McMartin Pre-School case, to release the two defendants who remain in jail, or to terminate a stay of proceedings in the preliminary hearing were denied by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Paul Turner. The defense had argued that the hearing has been illegally interrupted and delayed, most recently over the issue of whether remaining child witnesses may testify by closed-circuit television. Turner said he probably will decide next week whether Municipal Judge Aviva K. Bobb erred when she ruled out the use of televised testimony. Bobb had refused to consider the arrangement for the remaining five witnesses because state legislation authorizing its use was not law at the time the alleged acts occurred or when the hearing started.