Today, Supervisor Kathryn Barger sent a letter to the Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Superior Court, asking for the upcoming October 1 hearing date for Sexually Violent Predator Christopher Hubbart to be moved from the Hollywood Courthouse to the Michael D. Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse.
“I want this important hearing to be as accessible as possible to community members from Juniper Hills and the Antelope Valley at large,” said Supervisor Kathryn Barger. “They are the individuals who may have to live daily with the consequences of this hearing, so they deserve to have immediate access to what is said and shared on that important day, in person and unfiltered.”
In her letter, Supervisor Barger highlighted distance and internet connectivity as two of the main challenges residents who live near the site may encounter in accessing the Hollywood Courthouse.
“The rural nature of Pearblossom/Juniper Hills—the community where the proposed placement site is located—and its surrounding neighborhoods causes community members to endure significant technological challenges,” Supervisor Barger noted in her letter. “My constituents have been vocal about poor connectivity and inconsistent internet service that is part of being a foothill community. The prospect of traveling to the Hollywood Courthouse, which is over 65 miles away from Juniper Hills, is also an extraordinary expense and hardship that many cannot afford.”
Click here to read a copy of the letter in its entirety.
According to the community notification issued by the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office last week, on the day of the hearing only five individuals–chosen by a lottery system–will be allowed to attend in person due to limited capacity at the Hollywood Courthouse. By moving the court hearing to the Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse, more individuals could be accommodated in person.
Members of the public also have about one week left to submit their written comments about the proposed placement site to the District Attorney via email or mail. Comments will be accepted up until Tuesday, September 17, 2024.