The Modesto judge who is presiding over the murder trials of Dustin Gran and Brittany Navarra issued an angry denunciation of Madera County District Attorney Michael Keitz and his office this week.
According to Madera attorney Steven Geringer, who was in the courtroom Wednesday, Stanislaus County Superior Court Judge Maria Silveria ruled that Deputy District Attorney Edmond Gill was guilty of prosecutorial misconduct. Gill has handled the case over the years for the DA’s office. She said that Keitz’ office bore the responsibility for the many delays that have occurred in getting the case to trial.
The cases against Gran and Navarra, both teens at the time, began shortly after the murder of a third teen, Krista-Rae Pike. The state claims Gran bludgeoned Pike to death at the behest of Navarra, who had a grudge against Pike.
The cases were moved to Modesto in December 2011 at the request of defense attorneys...