Ewing trial pushed to January

JENNIFER EWING sits in the El Dorado County Courthouse on Friday morning. Democrat photo by Shelly Thorene

A brief hearing on Friday morning shifted dates and pushed the trial of Jennifer Ewing to January.

Ewing, who appeared with her attorney, Michael Atwell, will now stand trial on Jan. 8, 2013, for an estimated 20 days. The November trial date has been vacated. Atwell said that, due to personal matters, he has been absent from court, having other attorneys specially appear on his behalf, and he has been unable to do the work necessary to prepare for the trial.

He also noted that, in the past several days, Lisette Suder and the District Attorney’s Office had provided more discovery, which he called “very persuasive” for both sides of the argument.

Before the hearing ended, Suder informed Atwell and Judge Daniel B. Proud that any offers for a plea deal would end after the Nov. 7 hearing, as too much prep work would have to be done for the trial to accept a plea. Proud suggested that offers remain open until a week before trial, but Suder was adamant.

Ewing allegedly locked her son, Sebastian, in his room the night a fire consumed the home. He was trapped inside and, according to an autopsy report, died of smoke inhalation and fire-related injuries. In pre-trial documents, Ewing claimed that she had been asleep when the fire started. Due to the intensity of the fire, she was unable to rescue her son.

The next hearing in the matter will be a readiness and settlement hearing scheduled for Dec. 7 at 8:30 a.m.

Cole Mayer

Cole Mayer started writing for the Mountain Democrat in early 2012. He has written news, features and opinions in the past, and currently works the crime, court and fire beat.

View all my stories Email Me CMayerMtDemo

Discussion | 4 comments

The Mountain Democrat does not necessarily condone the comments here, nor does it review every post. Read our full policy

disgustedNovember 06, 2012 - 12:05 pm
I cannot believe this has been pushed out again. Shame on the attorneys and shame on the judge for allowing it to go this far
Report abusive comment
Helen EwingNovember 14, 2012 - 6:23 am
i hate this b****!!!! why do they keep putting it off! she needs to face what she did to my nephew and take the punishment, and unless it calls for locking her in a room and setting the house on fire, its not good enough for her. GOD DOES NOT FORGIVE CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN, AND NITHER DOES THE WOMENS PRISON IN CHOWCHILLA CA. Them hardcore mexican women will have their fun with jennifer. But still it wont be good enough.
Report abusive comment
chad pichetteDecember 10, 2012 - 1:07 pm
**** all u ppl Jen is a great person and does not deserve to be called these names and treated like a crimanal she is a great mother I miss bash a lot keep ur head up Jen we love u
Report abusive comment
Erlys Brooks-PichetteDecember 13, 2012 - 8:38 pm
Before you delare yourself a genius in this trial....please look deeply into every single aspect of this trial or thereabouts. Jennifer is a victim too....yes Sebastion paid the ultimate price in this life BUT....well i cannot quite find the perfect words to say here....i just want ppl to stop and learn EVERYTHING before they judge her. Yes she made awful mistakes in her PAST but that does not define who she is TODAY. Please walk 100 miles in her flip flops before you stomp all over her. Know every fact before you jump in and jump to conclusions that you may regret in the future. Thank you. Jennifer i love you....i want the truth mto prevail. ~momma~
Report abusive comment