The trial for Bulos Zumot, the hookah-shop owner charged with killing his girlfriend and setting their rental cottage on fire, will begin Nov. 8, a Santa Clara County judge said Friday.
Zumot, who owns Da Hookah Spot on University Avenue in Palo Alto, was arrested on Oct. 19, 2009, and charged with killing his girlfriend, Jennifer Schipsi, following an argument.
Police said Zumot set their Addison Avenue cottage on fire to cover up the crime. Zumot has pleaded not guilty.
Judge David Cena had hoped to begin Zumot's trial this month, but had to delay it because he is also overseeing a Los Gatos murder trial. Zumot, who is represented by high-profile attorney Mark Geragos, last month waived his right to a speedy trial.
Zumot's defense attorneys are still trying to obtain discovery documents from the prosecution. Attorney Pat Harris, part of Geragos' legal team, said Friday the defense has already received many of the materials it previously requested, but is still waiting on several documents, including a missing section of a forensics report and a cell-tower report.
Prosecutor Chuck Gillingham said he will comply with the defense's latest requests.
Comments
Palo Alto Hills
on Oct 8, 2010 at 11:07 pm
on Oct 8, 2010 at 11:07 pm
Gillingham has been saying he "will comply" for 10 months now. Not complying definitely puts him in the category of liars. He also lacks professionalism, sending a forensics report that is missing a section. What is he hiding now? I say the DA himself needs to be prosecuted this time.
College Terrace
on Oct 12, 2010 at 12:13 am
on Oct 12, 2010 at 12:13 am
I was in court when the very, very, very long list (some duplicates and some just broad, blanket sort of descriptions) was read off by Geragos. much of which was "for show." Any of those still not in Geregos' hands either will never be, because they're just not available, or even the prosecution is waiting on them still. Don't worry Chelsea, Judge Cena will make sure the law is followed.
Palo Alto Hills
on Oct 12, 2010 at 6:11 am
on Oct 12, 2010 at 6:11 am
And how do you know all of this stuff? It seems to me that you are either only a spectator in court, or that the prosecutor is hiding stuff from you and lying to you. Just to let you know, since I obviously know a lot more about the case than you do, most of the stuff that the prosecution had been hiding and all of the stuff that Geragos requested was exculpatory and in favor of the defense. You are going to see a lot of surprises at court, so be prepared. Thought I'd tell you so that you do not get schocked when Paul gets aquitted.
Monroe Park
on Oct 12, 2010 at 6:45 am
on Oct 12, 2010 at 6:45 am
I wasn't there, but the prosecution's games are well too known in Santa Clara county. Hiding evidence, and fabricating lies are their experties. It is a shame that the defense has to ask for anything. They should shove everything in the lawyers' faces if they know they are getting a conviction.
This case is very weak at the most. I also see aquittal or hung jury.
another community
on Oct 12, 2010 at 1:55 pm
on Oct 12, 2010 at 1:55 pm
It would appear that C. Rosenberg has her facts wrong, and despite her apparent expertise eg, , "...I obviously know a lot more about the case...!" she is overlooking the obvious; Mark Geragos is doing what any good defense attorney would do, make an issue of protest, where no issue exists! C. Rosenberg, do you suggest that Judge Cena is not in control of his court? Geragos can protest, complain and feign indignance all he wants, but his tactics will prove as worthless to his client, Zumot as they did to his client, Scott Peterson. I recall seeing the same grandstanding from Geragos, during the Mark Peterson trial and I believe Zumot will suffer the same outcome as did, Peterson, LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE!!!
Registered user
Palo Alto Hills
on Oct 13, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Registered user
on Oct 13, 2010 at 11:17 pm
J4J,
Rosenberg does not have her facts wrong! I think you need to go back and educate yourself on the Scott Perterson Case. Of course, you would love to make a correlation between the Scott Perterson case and Paul Zumot's case.
Lets get a few things straight here....
1. Scott Peterson was cheating on Laci while she was pregnant
2. Laci Peterson was a sweet, kind,loving,humble, wife, daughter, sister and friend.
3.Paul was not cheating on Jennifer. He took care of her and her family financially and otherwise.
4. Jennifer was cheating on Paul and had a long web of lies that she could no longer keep track of.
Dont judge too quickly. You may think you know the truth and what happened but you know no more then 20 % of the truth. You believe what you want to believe and what people tell you. Think for yourself.
This list can go on and on and on.... but I have better things to do the explain to people that are one sided and close minded, such as yourself.
Part of a DA's job is to provide ALL discovery's to the defence. All sweatheart, not the one's they want to give up but ALL. Everything that the defence has been asking for months has been with the DA for several months. If the dont have something, well then the need to say that. Not play a immature game of "I got mine you get yours"
Mark Geragos is protesting because Santa Clara county is known all over the United States for holding discoverys from the defence. Did you know the the DA has several lawsuits against him for that very same reason, and he has LOST some of the lawsuits due to this....I'm sure you dont know, or even care.
His protesting is not useless like his client Zumot. Your thoughts and beliefs on this case are useless. Not Zumot.
You really have NO CLUE
Paul Zumot INNOCENT
Btw, see you Friday night
Registered user
Palo Alto Hills
on Oct 13, 2010 at 11:25 pm
Registered user
on Oct 13, 2010 at 11:25 pm
opps typo's
* Sweetheart
* they not the