The San Benito County District Attorney’s office is starting to
bring back memories of the old Dean Martin Show.
Each day we are left wondering what or who will come out of
District Attorney John Sarsfield’s closet.
This week it was an attempt to slap a gag order, requested by
Deputy County Counsel Darren Bogie, on defense attorney Arthur
Cantu in the Albert Solorio trial, a local case that has had as
much intrigue as another old television show
”
I Spy.
”
The San Benito County District Attorney’s office is starting to bring back memories of the old Dean Martin Show.
Each day we are left wondering what or who will come out of District Attorney John Sarsfield’s closet.
This week it was an attempt to slap a gag order, requested by Deputy County Counsel Darren Bogie, on defense attorney Arthur Cantu in the Albert Solorio trial, a local case that has had as much intrigue as another old television show “I Spy.”
Or maybe, with all due respect to the victims, the trial is more and more resembling the satirical sitcom of the 1970s “Get Smart.”
It includes a cop and resident crashing through a plate glass window and a mysterious video tape that, as a key piece of evidence, seems to have a life, and even legs, of its own.
Cantu has spoken to the Free Lance on this case and others in what we feel is a legal and professional manner.
He also succeeded in court in getting Deputy District Attorney Stephen Wagner dismissed from the Solorio case because Wagner might be called as a witness in regard to the video.
Sarsfield has declined comment on the case, which is absolutely his right.
We realize cases should be decided in a court of law, by a judge or jury.
We also strongly believe We the People have the absolute right to know what goes on in that courtroom on a daily basis. Politics should never interfere with this right to know.
How many average citizens can take time out of their workday to sit in court and monitor all of the proceedings?
The Hollister Free Lance has the solemn duty to our readers and this community to report in a fair and accurate manner what is happening before, during and after a criminal trial.
We also reserve the right to comment on the proceedings and results at the appropriate time.
We also have the duty to serve as a forum for public opinion on these proceedings.
Sarsfield and his staff should break out their law books and take a close look at the First Amendment.
The attempted gag order – a feeble motion to stop Cantu from talking to the Free Lance – was an insult to the letter and spirit of the United States Constitution.
Just as badly, it was another decision by this increasingly bizarre District Attorney’s office to keep information from the people of Hollister and San Benito County.
We salute Judge Steven Sanders for dismissing this outrageous motion.
And we hope the next guest appearance from John Sarsfield’s office closet will be one of proper courtroom procedure and accountability that will produce court justice, not jesters.
