The trial of San Juan Bautista Mayor George Dias was delayed
Monday so another criminal matter could be heard before the
court.
HOLLISTER
The trial of San Juan Bautista Mayor George Dias was delayed Monday so another criminal matter could be heard before the court.
Dias, 46, faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting a peace officer causing serious injury from an April incident on Mission Vineyard Road with San Benito County sheriff’s deputies.
Deputy District Attorney Patrick Palacios said attorneys will meet again today to discuss scheduling the trial.
At the time of the incident, deputies reported that Dias refused to move to allow firefighting equipment to gain access to a burning trailer on his property.
Deputy Jason Leist attempted to arrest Dias, and the two and another deputy fell into nearby shrubs, the sheriff’s office reported. Deputies said Leist suffered stitches to his face and ear from the fall.
Dias’ attorney, Larry Biegel, alleged in court documents that Leist approached his client in an “aggressive and belligerent manner while using profanity.”
Biegel alleged in the statement that Leist shoved Dias into a nearby shrub and that “any injuries suffered by Deputy Leist were solely related to his own aggressive and unacceptable conduct.”
