FULLERTON
A preliminary hearing for a Fullerton man charged with elder abuse in the death of his mother has been postponed until December.
William Michael Lafferty, 62, appeared before Judge Roger B. Robbins at the North Justice Center on Friday with his attorney, Hong T. Nguyen. Hong requested the hearing be continued until Dec. 20 because another of her cases is beginning trial.
Lafferty was arrested March 23 on charges that he neglected his 81-year-old mother, Evelyn Dolores Lafferty. The elder Lafferty was bedridden and under the care of her son at the time of her death last Nov. 6. The coroner’s office ruled she died of heart disease.
In December, the judge will determine whether there is enough evidence against Lafferty to prosecute him. If convicted, Lafferty faces a maximum of nine years in prison.
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