Judge removes defense attorney in James Hooker case, vacates preliminary hearing
A Stanislaus County judge on Monday removed the defense attorney in the case against James Hooker and appointed a public defender, vacating a long-delayed preliminary hearing after the lawyer said he was unable to proceed due to ongoing health issues.
Judge Jeff Mangar made the ruling following a contentious hearing in which defense attorney Robert Chase said he was not prepared to move forward. Chase cited medical issues that he said were affecting his ability to cross-examine witnesses and adequately represent his client.
Mangar said the court could not allow open-ended delays in a case that dates back to 2020 and cited case law holding that a defendant’s right to competent, prepared counsel outweighs the right to a speedy preliminary hearing.
Hooker faces felony charges stemming from an alleged sexual relationship with a teenage girl, Autumn Rose, whose death later became central to the case. The charges are committing a lewd act upon a child 14 or 15 years of age and possessing material showing sexual conduct by a minor.
The preliminary hearing, scheduled for Monday afternoon, was vacated so new counsel can be appointed and brought up to speed.
The Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office was appointed to represent Hooker. The case is scheduled to return Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. in Department 3 for a conflict check to determine whether the office can take the case.
If no conflict is found, new counsel will be assigned and the preliminary hearing will be rescheduled.
During Monday’s hearing, prosecutors briefly filed a second amended complaint modifying one of the charges but later withdrew it after the defense raised potential legal challenges, including questions about the statute of limitations.
Deputy District Attorney Harshan Samra said prosecutors are ready to proceed once new counsel is prepared.
“We’ll see how soon his newly appointed attorney can be ready,” Samra said.
Chase, speaking outside court, said he found the decision to remove him “difficult” but added, “It is what it is.”
Hooker did not respond to questions from The Bee as he left the courtroom.
Outside the courtroom, Autumn Rose’s mother, Marina Gonzales, said the repeated delays have taken an emotional toll on her family.
“It’s been an emotional roller coaster coming to court and expecting to hear the preliminary examination going on, and then that not happening,” Gonzales said. “So it’s emotionally just a whirlwind.”
Still, she expressed hope that the appointment of new counsel will allow the case to move forward.
“The delays are frustrating, but hopefully now we’ll get this moving forward and keep it from all these setbacks,” she said. “I will continue to be here.”
