San Diego
A preliminary hearing for two defendants charged with conspiring to illegally funnel money into former mayor Roger Hedgecock’s campaign should be open to the press and public, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Attorneys for Nancy Hoover and former political consultant Tom Shepard had sought a closed hearing, contending that extensive publicity about the case could prevent a fair trial.
Municipal Judge Robert Stahl disagreed and rejected the motion. The defense attorneys indicated they would appeal.
Stahl tentatively scheduled the preliminary hearing for the two defendants for Thursday.
A third defendant in the case, former financier J. David Dominelli, pleaded guilty Monday to conspiring to funnel money from his defunct J. David & Co. investment firm into Hedgecock’s 1983 mayoral campaign.
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