Judge sets October preliminary hearing in long-delayed James Hooker case
A Stanislaus County judge on Friday scheduled an October preliminary hearing for James Hooker after the county’s Alternate Defender’s Office agreed to take over the long-delayed criminal case, which prosecutors said has drawn concerns from the family of the alleged victim about repeated postponements.
During an early case management hearing in Department 1 of Stanislaus County Superior Court, Judge Dawna Reeves noted the case had been pending for over a year without a preliminary hearing and indicated she intends to keep the matter moving forward.
Hooker appeared in court alongside attorney Michael Scheid of the Stanislaus County Alternate Defender’s Office, which formally accepted appointment in the case after previous defense counsel was removed and the Public Defender’s Office later declared a conflict.
Scheid requested a three- to four-week continuance, telling the court he still needs to contact former defense attorney Robert Chase and obtain additional investigative materials that have not yet been turned over. Scheid also said the defense requested transcripts from prior hearings before Judge Jeff Mangar held on June 2, 2025, and May 6, 2026.
Deputy District Attorney Harshan Samra did not object to granting additional time but told the court the family of the alleged victim may wish to assert concerns under Marsy’s Law because of the prolonged delays in the case.
Samra also requested an additional early case management conference before the preliminary hearing to ensure the case remains on track and avoids further postponements.
Reeves scheduled an early case management conference for Aug. 10 at 8:30 a.m. in Department 1 and set the preliminary hearing for Oct. 9 at 8:30 a.m., with an estimated length of one hour.
Case background
Hooker faces felony charges stemming from a Turlock Police Department investigation involving Autumn Rose, a young woman whose parents have publicly accused him of grooming and abusing her before her death in July 2025.
Prosecutors previously dismissed a child molestation charge against Hooker following Rose’s death, saying they could no longer proceed without the alleged victim’s testimony. Hooker has denied wrongdoing through his attorney.
Previously obtained Turlock Police Department investigative reports reviewed by The Bee allege detectives recovered communications, account records and images from Hooker’s cellphone after executing a search warrant in 2024.
According to the reports, investigators alleged Hooker and Rose communicated through the website SecretBenefits while she was still a minor. Police reports state Rose later told investigators the relationship began when she was approximately 15 or 16 years old and continued for several years.
Investigative reports also allege detectives recovered nude images of Rose from when she was 17 years old, allegations that later formed the basis for the remaining felony child pornography charge.
Additional police reports reviewed by The Bee describe allegations of controlling and abusive behavior during the relationship, including accusations that Hooker physically restrained Rose during arguments. Hooker has not been convicted of those allegations.
Outside court, Scheid said the defense needed additional time to review materials and prepare the case. “My client is disappointed we had to delay the hearing,” Scheid said. “He wants to clear his name. He wants his day in court.”
Outside the courthouse, Autumn’s mother, Marina Gonzales, said she and Autumn’s father were shocked to learn the preliminary hearing would not take place until October. “I think both her father and I kind of gasped at hearing an October date, because it seems it’s so far away,” she said. “Five months away from now.”
Gonzales said the continued delays have taken an emotional toll on the family as it waits for the case to move forward.
“It’s kind of like this open wound that doesn’t seem to heal,” she said. “I just want to make sure my baby’s laid to rest in a good way and that this gets put behind us.”
Asked afterward about the delays in the case and concerns raised in court regarding the alleged victim’s family, Samra declined to comment.
This story was originally published May 15, 2026 at 12:18 PM.
