State Should Try Jurist for Fairness, Judge Rules
A judge ruled that the state attorney general should prosecute Superior Court Judge Diana Hall for alleged violations of the California Political Reform Act to make sure she gets a fair trial.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Jack Ryan said the questioning conducted by the district attorney’s office in last year’s unrelated criminal trial against Hall created a potential conflict in the pending case. Ryan is presiding over the case to avoid a conflict among Santa Barbara County jurists.
The district attorney’s office had earlier asked for the state to take over.
Hall faces eight misdemeanor charges stemming from an undisclosed $20,000 contribution to her 2002 reelection campaign by former live-in lover Deidra Dykeman. Hall pleaded not guilty.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
