Crime & Safety

Pretrial Hearing in Overturned Murder Conviction Case Postponed to June

The pretrial hearing on Frank O'Connell's retrial for the 1984 murder of Jay French will continue to June 11.

The retrial of Frank O'Connell, the 54-year-old Glendora man charged with the 1984 murder of 27-year-old Jay French, will be continued to a June 11 court date.

Attorneys with the District Attorney's Office requested the extension during a pretrial hearing Friday morning at the Pasadena Courthouse.

O'Connell, who spent 27 years in prison for a murder , was released on bail April 24 after a judge found major faults with his original 1985 trial.

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After O'Connell’s release, the prosecution in his case has 60 days to re-investigate his case to see if they would like to go forward with a retrial.

“We know the case really well and we don’t believe there is a case, but that’s us,” said O'Connelll’s attorney, Peter Camiel. “The prosecution has an obligation to explore this case to see if a retrial is necessary.”

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The prosecuting attorneys would not comment on the case.

However, members of the French family maintained their belief that O’Connell is guilty and are hopeful a retrial will uphold his previous conviction.

“Frank is out on a technicality,” said French’s sister Judy Baker. “It does not mean he’s innocent.”


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