Kitchen jury trial delayed until 2018

EUREKA – Marci Kitchen’s jury trial has been delayed until next year over the objections of the prosecutor.
CHP investigators say 14-year-olds Kiya Kitchen and Faith Tsarnas were skateboarding on Eel River Drive in Fortuna the evening of July 12th, 2016 when Kiya’s mother, Marci Kitchen, allegedly struck the two girls with her Jeep, killing them both.
Kitchen’s jury trial had been set to begin Monday but a judge vacated that date and granted the defense a two week continuance in late October.
Kitchen was not present to set a new trial date Tuesday morning at the Humboldt County Courthouse. Her attorneys Benjamin Okin and Patrik Griego stated that after discussing the matter with the court operations official who schedules court business, next May would be the earliest time for a jury trial.
Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads said the people are ready to proceed sooner and that family members and victims have a right to a speedy resolution. Eads called it troubling that May is the earliest possible date. She asked that no additional continuances be granted and the defense have its case and experts ready to begin at that time.
Visiting Judge Terrence Boren set the jury trial for May 29th. Kitchen remains out of custody on $750,000 dollars bail.