Riddhi Patel's arraignment postponed, she remains on GPS monitoring
Nov 06, 2024
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Riddhi Patel, the protester who in September was ordered to stand trial on multiple felony counts filed in connection with a remark she made at a Bakersfield City Council meeting, appeared in court Wednesday for a brief hearing at which her second arraignment was postponed.
Patel's attorney, Deputy Public Defender Jacob Evans, told the court he needed time to review transcripts from the preliminary hearing and compare them with information contained in the charging documents. Prosecutor Ken Russell did not object, and a new arraignment date was set for Dec. 10.
Also discussed during was Patel's GPS monitoring -- a condition she agreed to when she was released on $500,000 bail.
Evans noted the probation department asked she be removed from GPS monitoring since she has complied for months with all requirements. The District Attorney's Office objected, however, and a judge previously ruled in favor of prosecutors.
Judge David Wolf -- not the judge who previously heard the matter -- said he wasn't going to take it up. Patel will continue to remain on GPS monitoring.
Patel was arrested at an April 10 city council meeting. She was criticizing security measures during public comment — claiming the measures were retaliation against protesters who demanded the council pass a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza — when she told the council, “We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you.” She's charged with multiple threat-related counts.