Judge Pushes Wong Trial Forward

When even the prosecutor thinks the judge might have violated the defendant’s rights, you know you’re in trouble.

Both the defense and the prosecution asked Judge Nathaniel Poovey to delay opening statements in the trial of Edwardo Wong while the state Supreme Court considers Wong’s motion for a stay.  The motion has to do with an ongoing conflict between Wong and his attorneys, as well as recent allegations that the judge gave the defendant legal advice in a private meeting outside the presence of counsel.

It makes sense to wait for the Supreme Court’s ruling because if the trial gets started and then the Court rules in Wong’s favor, it may be necessary to start the whole thing over – including the lengthy jury selection process.  It is hard to understand why the judge can’t wait a few more days, given the tremendous waste of time and money that might otherwise occur.  If nothing else, there is no reason to make the families on both sides endure this process twice.