Charges dropped for former LA-area councilwoman
Dec 13, 2012, 6:03 AM
SAN FERNANDO, Calif. (AP) – A judge has dismissed criminal battery charges against a former San Fernando city councilwoman after her ex-lover and former fellow councilman failed to show up in court to testify against her.
The Los Angeles Daily News reports (
http://bit.ly/UCXpI6) prosecutors have six months to re-file charges against 41-year-old Maribel De La Torre, but the district attorney’s office says that’s unlikely.
Authorities say De La Torre was charged with misdemeanor battery and vandalism following a June fight between her and former city councilman Mario Hernandez.
Hernandez had said he wouldn’t testify, and he didn’t show up to court Monday.
San Fernando voters ousted De La Torre, Hernandez and Mayor Brenda Esqueda through a recall in November, after a scandalous affair between the two councilmembers was revealed.
Hernandez had resigned his post in July.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
