The average daily cost of a trial in California is $9457 a day for salaries of judge and prosecutor, support staff, supplies, etc. This means that the 2 mistrials have cost the California taxpayers at least $151,312. During the trial, the father, Jim Lucas, testified that a few weeks before he made this report, he had unsuccessfully sought assistance from the defendant in getting a job at the defendant's firm The boy admitted that his parents gave him a skateboard for testifying. It is their word only against the defendant and they are using taxpayer money to pursue their own agenda. It appears the state is considering spending even more money on this lost cause by considering a third trial in this case.

Glinda:

Here are some more interesting points about the Teran case. The Teran prosecutor is Melissa Mckowan. She was disciplined by the California Bar in March of this year for misconduct towards victims and other prosecution witnesses in the Dr. Ayres case.

It was her prosecutorial error that CAUSED the first mistrial in the Teran case.

Excerpt on her very costly errors from Menlo Park/Atherton Patch.


Web Link

"The first time the case went to court on Sept. 12, 2012 the case was declared a mistrial, because witness testimony had not been provided to Armstrong, according to the DA’s office. During this year’s trial, the testimony was admitted. "

According to the Menlo Park Patch, the trial is supposed to start September 30, but it may be continued.