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Sentencing in Jennings Murder Conviction Pushed Back
Mike, Pat and Jason O'Keefe outside the Michael Antonovich Courthouse
Sentencing in Jennings Murder Conviction Pushed Back
By Chris McGuinness
Lancaster -- Judge Lisa Chung granted a motion for continuance to the defense in the sentencing of convicted murderer Raymond Lee Jennings. Jennings was found guilty of second-degree murder in the slaying of teenager Michelle O’Keefe in 2000.
Originally scheduled for the 22nd of January, Chung pushed the date back to February 18th to allow defense attorney David Houchin to explore potential motions for mistrial.
Houchin (who was present by phone) did not specify what motions he would be filing, only stating that he wished to look into “what materials the jurors saw”.
While Deputy District Attorney Michael Blake said he would not speculate on what Houchin was referring too, it is believed that the “materials” in question stem from an incident during jury deliberations in which juror’s discovered material from previous trials had been delivered to them mistakenly.
“If that is the case,” Blake said, “Then we have already been through this.”
Transcripts from prior trials, a DVD testimony, as well as other materials not submitted to the court were found in the jury room during deliberations. While the Defense did make a motion for mistrial at the time, after questioning the jurors, Judge Chung denied the motion stating that she believed the jury had not been exposed to the materials and the incident did not meet the legal standards required to declare a mistrial.
It was also rumored that Houchin may request access to jurors, potentially to question them on the incident. Judge Chung was quick to point out that she would need compelling evidence to grant such a motion.
“There has to be a good cause finding before any access is granted.” Chung said.
District Attorney Blake who was present in person at the hearing Friday advised he had saved the laptop jurors used in their deliberations and said he plans on submitting it to court if needed.
“I took the precaution of making sure it was preserved.” Blake stated shortly after the hearing.
While the new date will give the defense time to prepare its motions. Judge Chung advised that she is eager to bring what has been a lengthy trial process to a conclusion. According to Chung, if the motions are denied at the February 18th hearing, then the sentencing will take place on immediately to prevent further delays.
“I would like everything wrapped up.” Chung said.
Jennings' sentencing will be one of the final chapters in what has been a long process. After two trials in Los Angeles ended in hung juries, Jennings was convicted in December of 2009, almost ten years after Michelle O’Keefe was found shot to death at the Palmdale Park and Ride.
Michelle’s parents, Michael and Pat O’Keefe were also present at the hearing. In an exclusive interview with the AV News shortly after the verdict, Michael O’Keefe stated that he and his wife as well as their son Jason would make statements at the sentencing, addressing Jennings directly for the first time since the trials began.
“ It’s our turn to tell him (Jennings) what we think.” O’Keefe said.
