September Trial Expected in Girl’s Slaying

Attorneys on both sides in the case of Hooman Ashkan Panah, the Woodland Hills man who faces the death penalty if convicted of sexually assaulting and murdering an 8-year-old Tarzana girl, vowed Wednesday that the case would go to trial in September.

“This case is going to have top priority, given the nature of the charges,” said Van Nuys Superior Court Judge Sandy Kriegler, who will oversee the case.

Prosecutors also said Wednesday they would fight a motion expected to be filed by defense attorneys to have the case moved out of the San Fernando Valley because of the extensive publicity the case has received.

Panah, 22, has pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges--including murder, kidnaping and sodomy--in the Nov. 20 death of Nicole Parker, whose battered body was found in Panah’s bedroom closet.

During the first court appearance in Van Nuys since Panah was indicted by a grand jury in February, attorneys began laying the groundwork for the extensive legal arguments that will likely precede Panah’s trial.

Kriegler set a July 26 date to hear arguments on several motions, including the change of venue request.

When Panah’s attorneys raised the issue of moving the trial because Valley jurors may have been tainted by media coverage, Deputy Dist. Atty. Peter S. Berman responded by asking for a gag order, arguing that much of the publicity has been generated by statements made by Panah’s defense team.

Kriegler denied the request and asked attorneys to use discretion when discussing the case with reporters, a suggestion that was followed after the hearing.

Defense attorney Robert Sheahen also said he will seek to have certain key evidence ruled inadmissible.