"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.""
"On Nov. 26, 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, file the instant motion on the eve of sentencing, and further delay his ultimate sentencing and incarceration," prosecutors wrote Nov. 24. "Moreover, there are real victims here who are entitled to justice and finality.""
Joseph Huffaker, a former Rohnert Park police officer, was convicted in July on six federal counts, including conspiracy, impersonating a federal officer and obstruction of justice, and faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing has been delayed while Huffaker seeks new counsel after his attorney filed a motion citing a breakdown in the attorney-client relationship and reporting Huffaker directed him not to file a sentencing memorandum. U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney rescheduled sentencing over prosecutors' objections, with prosecutors noting Huffaker has cycled through six sets of attorneys and that one prior lawyer died.
Read at The Mercury News
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