"His attorney, Richard Ceballos, filed a motion Nov. 24 asking to continue the hearing to Jan. 28, citing a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship. The reason for the continuance is that Mr. Huffaker has advised me that he no longer wants me to represent him and has taken affirmative steps to obtain new counsel for his sentencing hearing, Ceballos wrote. Furthermore, Mr. Huffaker has expressly directed me not to file any sentencing memorandum on his behalf until he has secured new counsel."
"U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney rescheduled sentencing to Jan. 21, over the objection of prosecutors, who noted Huffaker has already cycled through six sets of attorneys since being charged in 2021. One lawyer had to be replaced after dying, they said. Sentencing was initially expected in October before being moved to Wednesday. (Huffaker) should not be permitted to stand pat for several months after the trial,"
Joseph Huffaker, a former Rohnert Park police officer, was convicted in July on six counts including conspiracy, impersonating a federal officer and obstruction of justice. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison. Sentencing was delayed after Huffaker's attorney filed a Nov. 24 motion seeking a continuance to permit Huffaker to obtain new counsel and to halt filing of a sentencing memorandum until new counsel is secured. U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney rescheduled the hearing to Jan. 21 over prosecutors' objections. Prosecutors noted Huffaker has used six sets of attorneys since 2021 and argued the delay harms victims and justice. The delay also stalled sentencing for a co-defendant.
Read at www.pressdemocrat.com
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