SOUTHLAND : Prosecutors to Dismiss Charge Against Ray Buckey; 12 Remain
Prosecutors said today they will dismiss a conspiracy count against former McMartin Pre-School teacher Ray Buckey, but intend to retry him on 12 remaining molestation counts.
“We do not intend to proceed with the conspiracy count, which will shorten the trial considerably,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Joseph Martinez told reporters following a hearing in which Superior Court Judge Stanley Weisberg ordered the retrial to begin March 9.
Martinez said he intends to present as witnesses the five remaining alleged victims in the case who represent 12 molestation counts against Buckey, 31.
However, the prosecutor hinted that fewer than five children may wind up testifying at the trial.
“Nothing is final until we file” the counts against Buckey on Tuesday, Martinez said.
Defense attorney Danny Davis, meanwhile, told reporters he had information that none of the five children were willing to testify at Buckey’s retrial.
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