HOLLISTER
With difficulty procuring DNA notes from the state, a preliminary hearing was continued today for the accused killer of a woman whose body turned up on C Street in June 2007.
Travis J. Hoffmeister is suspected in the homicide of Christella Macias, who was covered by only a sweatshirt and a bag over her head when found on C Street early in the morning.
The last phase of the preliminary trial came to a halt on Nov. 24, when public defender Greg LaForge pointed out that he had not received extensive notes on DNA testing.
Judge Steven Sanders learned today from Deputy District Attorney Peter Leroe-Munoz that there has been difficulty procuring a disk for LaForge from the California Department of Justice that would contain the needed notes.
“We have tried repeatedly to get a new disk,” said LaForge, who noted that the first disk was not readable on his computer.
The judge and attorneys discussed the matter, agreeing that printing a hard copy of the notes and having them sent to the defense might be the best approach.
Sanders noted that the bail for the homicide charge remains at $1 million and continued the remainder of Hoffmeister’s preliminary hearing to Dec. 17.
