I had reported in a previous article that Cara was going to be tried separately from her husband, Hector Porrata, but I didn’t get this right.  I reported incorrectly.  This whole deal where she waived her rights to the Preliminary Hearing got very confusing for me, because she had an arraignment on January 19^th all by herself, and then Judge Streger started leaving her name out whenever she opened and resumed Court during the Preliminary Hearing for the other three defendants.  So, that and the fact I couldn’t get a hold of the clerk at the DA’s office for clarification made me think that Cara was being tried separately.  But, no, she’s still part of this same case; and she’s now back with the boys. 

What had occurred was she had simply waived her rights to a Preliminary Hearing.  (She ducked out.  Maybe she just felt too much pain having to sit next to Hector.  That’s been a thought of mine.)

At the arraignment on February 16^th, Cara’s attorney, Brian Gurwitz, appeared and spoke before the Judge with the other defense lawyers, except for Fred McBride.  Mary Kreber covered for Fred, who did manage to walk in late when the hearing with the Judge was all over.  He and Mary are good buddies, like a father and daughter pair; they are always together, play off of each other and take care of one another. So, it seemed quite natural for Mary to take care of Fred McBride when he was most likely tied up in another court room. 

Brian Gurwitz appeared to the surprise of the Judge in this Court Room 5, whose name was not displayed on his judge’s bench.  So, I don’t know who this judge was, but he was young for being a judge, and he showed some surprise that Gurwitz was there as if he didn’t expect Gurwitz to address the Court.  Gurwitz told the Judge he would like Cara’s case heard on March 1^st, and the other defense lawyers expressed that they’d like their cases for their clients heard on that same day.

So, it was clear this motion by all the defense attorneys was to put all the defendants together again, and perhaps to buy some more time—which we don’t know for sure—to come up with their deals. 

The Judge called the Preliminary Hearing the “Long Preliminary Damnation”.  Brian Gurwitz explained to the Judge that his client, Cara Cruz-Thompson, had waived the Preliminary Damnation.  Mary Kreber, for both George Martinez and Rene Montes (Fred McBride’s client), and Gil Carreon for Hector Porrata, asked for a one time continuance.  The defendants—who were in the cages—replied yes when they were asked if they agreed to the continuance. 

Thus, we’ll see what they all plead now, on March 1^st, after so much evidence, which was substantially incriminating, having been presented against them in the Preliminary Hearing.  

Now that Judge Elaine Streger has ruled that she finds that the evidence from the Preliminary Hearing points to the fact that the offenses for which the defendants have been charged have been committed, we’ll see if any or all of the defendants still plead not-guilty.  We’ll see if anyone changes pleas and pleads guilty and makes a deal. 

I am guessing some deals will be struck.  I don’t see how any one of them could think they could go to trial with a not-guilty plea and think a jury would exonerate them.  The evidence is as thick as flies in Summer, thicker than molasses, and all the other cliches.  If I were on a jury and heard all the evidence I heard from the Preliminary Hearing, I would give Rene Montes 15 years, Hector Porrata 10 years, Cara Cruz-Thompson 4 years and George Martinez 2 years.   But, we’ll see… Stay tuned for Monday…. And remember what I’ve predicted.  I am curious to see how well I do here as a Nostradamus… J 

Readers may write to writer Lonce LaMon at lonce@adjustercom.com