BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Judge Charles R. Brehmer dismissed two motions Wednesday for a new trial for convicted elementary school principal Leslie Chance, found guilty in January of murder in the shooting death of her husband.
Defense attorney Tony Lidgett filed the motions back in March, arguing juror misconduct. Lidgett argued for a new trial based on failure to read all jury instructions.
Prosecutors and the defense returned to court Tuesday morning to argue for and against a new trial. Ultimately Brehmer dismissed the motions after receiving the submitted evidence and hearing arguments.
Chance, 53, was found guilty of premeditated murder in the death of her husband Todd back in 2013. She faces a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison. Her sentencing has been postponed multiple times due to illness and concerns over holding amid the coronavirus pandemic.
She is now scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 16 at 8:30 a.m. at the Superior Court of Kern County.
