Marci Kitchen appointed new defense after private attorneys quit

EUREKA, CA. – Accused of striking her daughter and another young girl while driving, leading to their deaths almost two years ago, Fortuna’s Marci Kitchen was back in court Tuesday.

An audience was also present to show their frustration with the slowly moving case.

Judge Graham Cribbs approved Kitchen’s former Defense Attorney’s – Patrik Griego and Ben Okin’s – requests to quit the case.

They say that Kitchen ran out of money to pay them.

Now Kitchen has been appointed a lawyer – Deputy Conflict Counsel Meagan O’Connell.

The trial is still expected to start on May 29, just two months shy of the two year mark since the day Kitchen allegedly ran into her daughter, 14-year-old Kiya, and her daughter’s friend, 14-year-old Faith Tsarnas.

A check on the status of the case is scheduled for April 5.