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Grajeda jury trial pushed to late April, Austin arraignment postponed

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David Grajeda

LANCASTER – The criminal trial for David Grajeda, the man charged with interfering with a public meeting based on his actions at a Lancaster Criminal Justice Commission meeting, was scheduled to begin Monday, but was postponed to late April instead.

Grajeda and his attorney, David Harris, appeared briefly before Superior Court Judge Akemi Arakaki Monday.

Arakaki agreed to continue the case to allow time for prosecutors to turn over discovery to the defense, including two discs of video featuring Grajeda. Arakaki said Grajeda’s defense team might want to interview other potential witnesses after viewing the video.

Grajeda was ordered to appear in court on April 23 for jury trial. He remains free on $25,000 bail.

Grajeda, a frequent speaker and critic at Lancaster City Council meetings, was arrested on Oct. 25, 2011 as he attempted to enter a City Council meeting. He was charged with interfering with a public meeting based on his actions at an Oct. 12 Criminal Justice Commission meeting. View video of those actions here. Grajeda’s bail was initially set at $5,000 for the misdemeanor charge, but was later raised to $25,000. Grajeda was jailed for 16 days before bailing out on Nov. 9, 2011 and then hit with a restraining order barring him from Lancaster City Hall.

Grajeda has maintained his innocence and has promised to fight his case all the way to the end. Grajeda is also a candidate in the upcoming Lancaster mayoral race. The latest delay in his case means that his trial will now take place after the Lancaster General Municipal Election on April 10, 2012.

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 In other Antelope Valley Courthouse news…

Larene Eleanor Austin

Larene Eleanor Austin, the woman accused of a 2010 Palmdale murder who fled the country and was captured in Belize, appeared in court Monday.

Austin, 30, did not enter a plea and her case was postponed to April 16 for arraignment and plea.

This is the third time Austin’s arraignment has been postponed.

Austin is accused of shooting and killing Lanell Barsock, 29, on June 16, 2010. Barsock’s body was found in the garage of her home in the 37400 block of Rockie Lane in Palmdale.

According to media reports, Austin and Barsock became friends after meeting in the personal ads section of Craiglist, and the friendship evolved into a romantic relationship.

When Barsock dumped Austin to focus on her boyfriend, Austin allegedly shot Barsock in the back of the head and then tried to cover her tracks by framing Barsock’s boyfriend. She then tried to adopt Barsock’s life, according to media reports.

Lanell Barsock

Officials zeroed in on Austin as the main suspect in Barsock’s murder in early 2011 and a warrant was issued for Austin’s arrest in March 2011, but by that time, she had already fled the county.

In December 2011, the case was publicized on America’s Most Wanted, and tipsters put Austin in the Central American country of Belize.

Austin was captured in Belize on Jan. 25 and extradited back to the United States.

Her capture was also profiled on America’s Most Wanted on Feb. 17, 2012.

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Filed Under: Lancaster

55 comments for "Grajeda jury trial pushed to late April, Austin arraignment postponed"

  1. Surely, surely we can all agree Common Sense is none other than Ronny Smith himself. If he spent half the time running for the assembly than blogging for Parris he might have half a chance.

  2. See this how simple that was. what i say can spark up a big debate that is how i have always been, while every is talking about my personal life about the mother of my child if I have a job or even if I am a spoiled mommas boy <<<yes this is very true I love my mother to death!I also love everyone in my family to death. EVERYONE. with that said I and my family or any of our personal lives are anyones business.

    I dont have a clue about anyones family other then mine I dont care or have any desire to even care about anyones family. other then my family. rex,ron,sherry,crist,mann,seto,derrico, <<could care less and its none of my business but how they govern the city is OUR business.

    to use that against me to try and prove a point as to why you think I should be casted out of the city we all share together is beyound shameless there are worse people then me who share our space I can gurentee you that.

    I wish you would have more to say about the city and the claims i brought up but that doesn't seem to concern anyone thus I rest my case.

    I just like to stire the pot and I knew if I said what I did everyone would start acting like the murray show.

    you just got david Ged ;) have a great election.

  3. @Facts, what are going to tell your children, “I had a college degree and saw our rights being stompped upon and did nothing, because I have a college degree, I stood by while others stood up and went to jail to defend our rights, and did nothing because I have a college degree, I critizied other and dismissed thier concerns because, they did not have a college degree.

  4. @Gladdis, Yes, Lee D’arrico the City Council “Buggy Man”, the one that went around scaring little children in their homes doing inspections The AV Times posted the tape of D’arrico assulting Mr. Grajeda, he (D’rrico) is always at City The City council Meetings intimidating people, if you are not liked he stands there at the door giving you “The Buggy Man eye” Mr. Grajeda filed charges on D’Arrico but the Distric Attorney did nothing and that is why he was there that day upset that nothing was done, of course he (Mr. Grajeda) is the one who ends up in jail. I have a question to put out there; who does Mr. D’arrico work for? Reaaly?

  7. Why is this news? Mr Grajeda is an idiot, he is crazy and to give him free press is disguisting. If the city were really stifling free speech id be first in line to fight it. All the city was trying to stifle is an ignorant fool whose only goal is to disrupt. Not answer the door when the cops come? This shows what an excriment recepticle David is. Heaven forbid he would be a decent working class citizen who respects his neighbors enough to not have a loud party. He is the exact reason this town is failing. A sack of [removed] like Mr Grajeda is given a forum when he should be told get the [removed] out of our town. This town used to be a place were hard nosed hard working people hung there hat…. Now we have gone soft and allowed the rest of la county to use the av as their own out house

    • Your posting shows that you are just as bad as he is. However, also like Mr. Grajeda, you have the right to speak your peace. I did watch the video and Mr. Grajeda was completely within his rights when he spoke and did not violate any laws to do so. Unlike you, however, he did not use foul language in his comments during the meeting of which they are trying to prosecute him for.

      • He was a disruptive idiot in that meeting. The issue that he had with the captain should heave been handled in the proper form and not at this meeting. Maybe if he learned how to control his emotions, learned how to be articulate, and gave some thought before he speaks or acts, some of us could actually take him seriously and would listen to what he had to say. Right now, he’s just a loud mouth, emotionally ignorant, convicted felon, who does not warrant any legitimate attention. Maybe, once he is able to work on improving his own life we could begin to actually listen to what he has to say. Until then, he’s just an uneducated, loud mouth convict, who is a hero to other like minded folks and a joke to the rest of us who are tiring of his “woe is me” and “I’m fighting for you” BS.

        • Mr. Grajeda was there to complaing that nothing had been done to Mr. D’arrico for assulting him at City Hall we have all seen the tape, you are trying to bury the issue and make it about Mr. Grajeda, You Fact and Really seem to be pulling a pay check or somehow benefiting from the people running the scamm that we regular citizens are going to be forced to pay for.

          • Really? Public Safety Lee? I know he loud talks and covers for people in his department and has been accused of Brown Act violations, but I didn’t know he assulted Dave. The video of Dave speaking up at the Crime Commission Meeting seems to clearly show he did NOT do anything wrong. The Boys at City Hall just hate to be questioned. They all think they are above the law.

        • “…and a joke to the rest of us who are tiring of his “woe is me” and “I’m fighting for you” BS”

          – Oh, you mean like R. Rex Parris?

          • Don’t get me wrong, ‘Facts,’ I am no fan of Grajeda’s (he ain’t MY hero). I merely state that his tirade in the Criminal Justice Commission meeting was within his rights under the US Constitution and the laws surrounding such. My problem with Parris has to do with his blatant corruption and lack of respect for the absolute right of the everyday citizen – whether rude or not – to question and seek redress of Parris and his nonelected cronies.

            I may not like or agree with what you have to say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. Whether it is Grajeda, you, or even Parris. That is what democracy is all about.

          • Wow!!!!! Congrats for not calling him a “Parrisite”. This is a first for you! Just because we agree on some things and not on others does not make us “Parrisites” any more than it makes you a “Kiramisite” or a “Rivesite”. Sounds rather stupid now, doesn’t it?

          • Stinger, thanks for being willing to “Die” for my freedom of speech rights. Come on now, this is not that serious out here. This was a basic small town commission meeting that no one outside of he AV, and few in the AV, are actually even aware of. David G. staged this whole tantrum outburst which is why he had his little friends present to record it so they could post it on You Tube in hopes that it might go viral. It didn’t, and us locals just see an immature 26 yr old mama’s boy carrying on like the spoiled brat that he is. This whole matter didn’t even have anything to do with Rex Paris, but I guess throwing his name around is the only way some people can hope to get notice in this tumbleweed town of ours.

          • Stinger, Grajeda absolutely has a right to speak at that meeting. However, his little video screwed him. It showed him pointing all gangsta style at everyone and yelling foolishly. How can anyone take him, or his brother, seriously for any office, even in this Valley? And listen to his rant: the captain of a sheriff’s station gives a crap about him, or his baby’s mama? He can’t be serious. I know….you’ll fire back with your only ammo “Parrisite!” But like many others here, I don’t live in Lancaster, don’t know him and can’t vote for him. Many others have had disputes with city hall resolved without acting like Mr.Felon Grajeda

          • let me amend myself. Grajeda has the right to speak at the meeting, but being convicted of a sex crime felony, he should be limited to 10-15 seconds!

          • Tell me, “Facts,” exactly what felony are you claiming that he was convicted of?

            Because I don’t always agree with Parris, I get called a ‘convicted felon’ all the time – still doesn’t make it true.

            Whether Grajeda is to be taken seriously or not is absolutely irrelevant to the point that he has the right to redress his local government stooges. Would I have done it that way? Of course not. Doesn’t take away his right to do so, though.

            Oh yeah, just to make you feel better: Parrisite!

            ;-)

          • Ooops! Sorry, “Facts.” That last one should have been directed towards the inaptly named, “common sense.”

            My apologies.

    • Anyone that has the cojones to speak up and say to the Mayor of Lancaster that he is a CROOK, has my respect I wish I could do that, but I am afraid to go to jail, just like he did.
      Freedom of speach is not olny for the elites, many patriots died and are still diying so that we can have the right to question our goverment whether you like the questions or not, it is not up to you to deciede who in your mind think has that right. (period)

        • you don’t want to see us as people or citizens, to make it easier to do what you are doing, but SHAME ON YOU….big, big, SHAME ON YOU, you have created a hostile invironment for people at City Council Meeting, you arrest any one that dares to bring out the missmanegment of the peoples money, you have them assulted like we see in the video of Mr. D’arrico attacking Mr. Grajeda and then you call Mr. Grajeda all kinds of names because he is upset, SHAME ON YOU, and now there you are passing judgment on people for having an opinion, you are better than most because??? SHAME, SHAME, SHANE ON YOU, Mr. I am better than you.

  8. Mr Grajeda keep your head up and continue to stand for what is right. Those that have not encountered the Biggest gang in this Valley (LASD) have no idea of the crimes they commit against people in this valley. Dont believe everything you read. If you want the truth about any event involving the Sheriff flip the script and you will see the truth. Just try it because they only tell one side of the story. Even the newspaper Editors bite onto the lies.

    • thanx, and i am trying. i only get stressed out with family issues but fighting for our rights and to have an objective opinion is fun for me sucks that the powers that be abuse there power.

      ive met some really god sheriffs in town who actually care but for the most part its a tight nit group of power hungry people who lack common sense when it comes to doing there job the right way.

      there biggest excuse is we dont make the laws we enforce them which is totally ignorant so say if ron smith becomes an assembly man and drafts a law that would make all sheriffs have to shoot them self in the foot do you think they would enforce that law haha probably not so it bugs me when they enforce unconstitutional laws to get there arrest rate up to they can get an award at city hall. instead of take there oath seriously.

      they do operate just like a gang!

      • LOL The “great suburban newspaper” is what they like to call it. They’re in on it all. Just check their advertisers. It’s all about the $$$.

    • i was working at mammoth mountain for awhile. and now i am just waiting for the court to finsih up and then i am leaving state for work.

      • So you have no intention of really being elected mayor? But you had to have your name on the ballot? Thanks for wasting Lancaster taxpayer money by having your name printed on all of the ballots!

        • maybe you should run for mayor! or do i really have to tell you why rex is a crook or you can look it up for yourself. thankx for wasting your time trying to think your clever with this so called waste of tax payer money hahaha please get over your ignorant opinion how about the 50,000,000. the mayor wasted with the redevelopment agency or how about the total number of lawsuit not to mention the 500,000,000. the city is in debt oh man ya i am wasting the tax payer money for putting my name on the ballot!

          please. if you have an opinion base it on facts!

          the fact it i should have to be the one running for mayor but i have to be the one running because no one will step up to the plate who actually understands what is going on.

          yes! i do not have any desire to be you mayor its not like i am going to win but if i did i sure as hell wouldnt have tax and put the community in debt as much as the current admin.

    • Well he runs an illegal Landscape Business and is not licensed with CSLB.
      Its called America Landscape.

  10. Grajeda disutrbing a R.Rex political meeting vs. Rex’s henchman stealing newspapers upsets poor wittle Ronny “Common Sense” Smith.

  11. Great video there Grajeda. Yeah…the captain of Lancaster station is stalking you….LOL. Ohhhh…he talked to your baby’s mama? Not your wife, but your baby’s mama! You want respect, but you point at everyone “gangsta” style in the meeting, and yell like a fool. He sent deputies to your house? It’s common knowledge about the time you told your friends who were having a large, noisy party, that they didn’t have to open the door for the cops. Then, when you got tossed in the back seat of a cop car, you cried like a little baby and denied doing it! It wasn’t me Mr. Policeman…sob…sob! You’re tough when the camera is on, but away from it you are a little softie.

    • first of all dick head its the mother of my child.
      second i can tell this is probably a sheriff who doesnt have a clue about anything. no one has to answer a door to the sheriff dpt unless they have a warrant even if it is a loud party yes i tell everyone not to answer the door so the homeowner wont get a ticket its not about d.t.p i am well aware of the party patrol that goes out in order to give out a 250 ticket to anyone having a party. the only people who should be knocking on door because of a loud party is the neighbors oh and last time i seen the stupid sheriff break up a party which cause about 30 people to drive drunk one of them happened to get into a car accident. so kiss my ass the sheriff do more harm then good sometimes.

      no one was crying oh and check this out dick head or pig which ever you prefer dont worry about the mother of my child, not to mention it was none of captain bobs! business so for him to talk to the brother in law who happens to be a sheriff was wrong.

      oh and why dont you explain what happened to the charges that were filed against me for that day since you seem to know so much? lmao

      i am a big softy i do care about people and my family is the most important part of my life.

      so if you want to hide behind your alias common sence so be it or even if you want to call me out thinking i am not tough i am sure we can set something up. and bring your camera! let keep it legal like a mutaul combat.

      gangsta! psh

      • Keep posting and calling people “dick head”. How very MAYORAL of you! lol. I wouldnt vote for you if you were running for Dog Catcher!

        • well, I called a person dick head. ill just call you an idiot. for someone who thinks they can just chime in on a conversation which the only person addressed was me to say just because i called some disrespectful peace of trash who chose to bring up my family had it coming.

          i only want people who actually knows whats going on in the city of lancaster to vote for me i dont need yours nor do i really care. its not about winning.

          • David, do us all a favor and go back to school and finish your education. Then, focus on getting a REAL job so you can support YOUR baby, and the mother of your child. Once you can demonstrate responsibility and success in your own life, then you can think about representing and leading the community as an elected representative. Get your priorities straight!

          • David, ‘Facts’ is right. You should concentrate on bettering yourself for your family and not stress yourself out taking on City Hall right now. At least not until you get yourself together… Just think of your young one and how you want him/her to perceive you. Juvenile name calling does not give a very good perception…

    • i might get stressed out from time to time but look i dont need to better myself i do just fine and i do support those i care about when all that i have, i am being insulting thats all to people who cant seem to respect other people and there family. everyone talking doesnt have a clue what i do on a daily bases to say i need to better anything.

      not to mention most people do not have a clue on what is really going on in our city. think of it this way why do i have to be that to tell you that you are all being fooled and no matter what i have done in my past o the trouble i got myself into has nothing to do with me understanding the task at hand same for you if you take the time to look this stuff up.

      blind opinions bother me and the advice is not warranted for those who have no idea what i do with my family or even when it comes to fighting city hall. get this straight if you bring up my family i will go off and insult you and maybe even your intelligence go to school please hahaha ya i am going to get myself in debt because i want people to feel like i am doing something positive.

      maybe if you people actually realize i am not just fighting city hall and the money being put into the hands of a few. i am also fighting for everyones right to speak and have an objective opinion.

      what you see as negative i see as positive. i guess i should tone down the name calling when people choose to attack my family but no i wont do that! you bring my family into the conversation and you might get more the just in insult.

      • if i go to school it might be to better my grammar but then again learning doesnt start in school.

        • Well G., it’s never too late to start. Starting with school is probably your best option. But then again, what do I know? My education was mostly gain in school and college. My street smarts might be lacking, but thank goodness the professional business community didn’t put a premium on the street edu! Do you feel me, G.?

      • I thank you for sticking up for your rights and the right of all of us. Ordinary people don’t have a clue that all the money is being paid to such a small group of people and most of them spend their time doing nothing.I wish we could have figured out a way to meet with you earlier and spread the word. You do know what you are talking about and have been following the money for a long time. I, too feel that most of the people working in City Hall are crooks of some degree. The ones I have accused, now treat me like worm sweat when they are forced to talk to me.One of the people I had problems with every time I had to deal with her snide sarcastic self, was arrested in Dec 2011 and again in Jan 2012. Since then she has been relieved of her duties.
        For the record, I too feel that a few lasd are working for the right reasons. It’s hard to figure out who they are because they are surrounded by the uniformed gang members. Wish you could come to the Coffee with a deputy 4/12 at the coffee place in front of Bex on Lancaster Blvd. 8-10 am. I’d love to meet you.