Adela Lopez Garascia

San Francisco Hall of Justice – Photo by David M. Greenwald SAN FRANCISCO — Questions about language access and witness comprehension emerged in San Francisco Superior Court this week after a juror asked whether a prosecution witness should have been provided a translator following testimony in which the witness struggled to define key anatomical terms. Judge Brian Ferrall denied the request, concluding the witness demonstrated sufficient English proficiency to testify without an interpreter.

San Francisco Hall of Justice – Photo by David M. Greenwald SAN FRANCISCO — Despite conflicting testimony from two police officers about key details of an arrest, a San Francisco Superior Court judge on July 14, 2026, denied the defense’s motion to reduce the accused’s felony charge to a misdemeanor during a preliminary hearing in Department 20. Officer Jessie Manalo testified regarding the arrest of the accused.

San Francisco Hall of Justice – Photo by David M. Greenwald SAN FRANCISCO — Despite conflicting testimony from two San Francisco police officers about a key moment during the arrest, Judge John D. Echeverria on July 14 denied a defense motion to reduce the accused’s felony charge to a misdemeanor following a preliminary hearing in Department 20. Officer Jessie Manalo testified regarding the arrest of the accused.