Details surrounding a protective order placed on discovery evidence in the murder case against Larry Millete were debated between prosecutors and defense on Dec.16 in what was supposed to be a routine hearing.
The San Diego County District Attorney filed a protective order which forbids the release of 246 pages of evidence, 16 hard drives with media and 100 police body cam videos to the public. Future court date appearances were scheduled after more than an hour of deliberation. A status congerence will be held on Feb.28 at 1:30 p.m. and April 12 at 8:30 a.m. for a preliminary hearing, both in South County Department #9.
The intent of the proposed protective order is to ensure evidence turned over to the defense did not get released to the public or posted onto the internet before the trial. A motion filed this week by the DA states defense attorney Bonita Martinez refused to sign the order.
Martinez publicly said she believed the language was too vague in the protective order and was able to get portions of the order changed during chamber meetings with the judge.
An order was placed on Martinez by the judge to forbid release of personal information like addresses and phone numbers of witnesses and victims in Millete’s case.
Larry Millete remains in custody with no bail for the alleged murder Maya Millete, the mother of his three children, who has been missing for nearly a year. Their three children ages 5,10, and 11 remain in the custody of their paternal grandparents, Judith and Benito Millete.
Earlier this month paperwork nominating Judith and Benito for legal custody was filed. Maya's sister, Maricris Droulliat had filed a petition for guardianship last month, but was denied by a San Diego Superior court judge. Since Nov.14, Maya's relatives were granted visitation rights.
A hearing on the children’s permanent custody is slated for Jan.14.
