Hearing for Van Buren Delayed Until May 10

Ventura County prosecutors said Friday they have not decided whether to file charges against all-state football player Leodes Van Buren of Newbury Park High, who is suspected of firing a gunshot into his girlfriend’s home last week.

Van Buren appeared in Ventura County Municipal Court on Friday for a scheduled arraignment, but it was postponed after the prosecutor’s announcement. Municipal Judge James Cloninger ordered the 18-year-old senior back to court May 10, when the district attorney’s office will disclose its decision on filing charges.

Van Buren, who appeared in court with his guardian and a school counselor, was arrested April 8 on suspicion of firing a single shot through the back door of Marcie James’ home.

Police said he fired the shot after engaging in an argument with James, 19, a pitcher on the Moorpark College softball team, earlier that day. No one was injured, and Van Buren later denied pulling the trigger. He said a companion did it.

Judge Cloninger allowed him to remain free on $5,000 bail.

Van Buren’s attorney, John B. Miller Jr. of Woodland Hills, said his client plans to tell investigators the truth about the incident.

“He wants to cooperate so it will not deleteriously affect his scholarship,” Miller said. Van Buren has earned a scholarship to play football at Colorado.

Ventura County Deputy Dist. Atty. Patricia J. Kelliher said a decision on charges against Van Buren will be made by May 6.

She said the Sheriff’s Department has turned over its investigation to prosecutors, but the district attorney’s office requested sheriff’s investigators to do more follow-up work--a common practice in criminal cases.

Van Buren helped Newbury Park win the Southern Section Division III championship last fall. The 6-foot-1, 190-pounder finished his high school career as the state’s career leader in receptions.