Patterson Mayor and a tale of two stories

Preliminary hearing for Abbey today
 
Judge Ricardo Cordova to decide if Kari Abbey will stand trial for shooting Rita Elias five times while Abbey was employed by Sheriff Adam Christianson.
Abbey,  has been charged with second-degree murder and voluntary manslaughter along with conspiracy, embezzlement, cultivating marijuana, receiving stolen property and child endangerment. She was not charged with the use of a gun in the killing.  Christianson declared her actions were in self defense before the investigation that resulted in her arrest months after the shooting.  The killing occurred before she was terminated and became a "former deputy".  Other sheriff deputies worked for Abbey to evict tenants.
Although Judge Cordova worked with Abbey he refused to recues himself from the case although he did raise her bail from $300,000 to one million dollars.
Sheriff Christianson has been sued by the family of Rita Elias.  There is some speculation that Abbey will not face a jury and District Attorney Birgit Fladager will make a deal to resolve the case.  The prosecution and the defense will work together.
 
Bee shapes coverage of Gunderson
 John Gunderson was interviewed on the Morning Mayor Show during the election campaign. Gunderson said he told Bee editor Judy Sly he was on the Stanislaus Union School District board as part of his campaign record, but she did not report the fact in her coverage.
He asked her to set it straight.
The shaping of the Bee coverage has given rise to speculation among some politicos that a recall of Gunderson might be successful.  The obvious advantage is that Joe Muratore and friends can assemble another panel to appoint another councilmember.