The Region : Buckey Defense Barred From Witnesses

Defense attorneys in the McMartin Pre-School molestation case have been temporarily ordered to refrain from contact with all prosecution witnesses who testified at the preliminary hearing. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Roger Boren agreed with prosecutors who had complained about the “intimidating tone” of a letter sent by lawyer Daniel Davis, who represents defendant Raymond Buckey, to parents of 13 former students at the Manhattan Beach nursery school. The Aug. 14 letter asked parents to indicate whether they intended to allow their youngsters to testify at the trial of Buckey and his mother, Peggy McMartin Buckey, because the defense is about to request all complaining witnesses’ medical and psychological records and to begin interviewing their friends and neighbors. Boren is expected to issue a permanent order on the matter next week. The trial is scheduled to begin Oct. 21. The Buckeys are charged with 101 counts of child molestation and conspiracy.