KMJ REPORTER LIZ KERN IS IN COURT FOR TRIAL: LISTEN FOR UPDATES
FRESNO, CA (KMJ) Trial got underway Tuesday for Assemblyman Dr. Joaquin Arambula (D-Fresno). The former emergency room doctor is facing a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to a child.
The 41 year-old doctor was sitting with his wife, Elizabeth, his mother and father, former District 31 Assemblyman Juan Arambula, and his two defense attorneys.
His wife occasionally smiling, while his face was terse, listening as Judge Gary Orozco moved the case to Judge Alvin Harrell’s courtroom.
Dr. Arambula has defended his actions by saying he simply disciplined his 7 year-old daughter.
“I disciplined her as a consequence of something that she did. I spanked her bottom”, Dr. Arambula told multiple media outlets after his arrest.
The incident occurred at the family’s home on Sunday, December 9, 2018. Dr. Arambula was arrested the next day, Monday, December 10th by Fresno Police.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s office filed the single charge on March 12, 2019. Dr. Arambula has pleaded not guilty.
Fresno Police Chief Jerry Dyer said a school official, very alertly, notified superiors who then contacted the authorities.
During an unrelated press conference, when asked about the case, Chief Dyer told reporters that Dr. Arambula’s daughter was struck in a “visible” location and CPS was notified.
The Valley lawmaker faces up to six months behind bars if found guilty.
Meanwhile, the question of resigning from office remains hushed. Fred Vanderhoof, the Chair of the Fresno County GOP tells KMJ “His own party has to look and see what’s the best route for him”.
Soon after Dr. Arambula was charged, his camp issued a statement alluding that it was politically motivated.
In the statement, Dr. Arambula said “while politics may have influenced the decision to file – we are confident that our judicial system will find this allegation to be false.”
Chief Dyer was quick to respond saying “It’s unfortunate that defense attorneys would try to transfer the blame to the police department, upon the officers, upon the district attorney’s office”.
Assemblyman Arambula’s office, in a statement at the time of his arrest, says he is a committed father and he is fully supportive of the (legal) process.
Dr. Joaquin Arambula, a married father of three daughters, was first elected in 2016 to represent the 31st Assembly District. He is the first Latino physician elected to the California State Assembly
Fresno County Judge Alfred Harrell III will consider and rule on motions of the admissibility of certain evidence – such as the CPS report, cd’s and media interviews on Wednesday.
Media organizations’ requests to photograph and film the trial were limited to a media pool in Judge Orozco’s courtroom and then later granted by Judge Harrell in his courtroom, but he told media he was barring any video recording or photography of Dr. Arambula’s 7 year-old daughter, who may testify in the case.
The Fresno County District Attorney’s office has Steve Wright as prosecuting attorney.
Arambula’s defense attorneys Michael Ead and Margarita Martinez-Baly hope to see a speedy trial.
Jury selection takes place on Friday and Monday, then the trial is expected to last 7 to 10 days once the jury is finalized.
KMJ REPORTER LIZ KERN IS IN COURT FOR TRIAL: LISTEN FOR UPDATES
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
