After a public hearing on Friday, November 5, 2021, for the
possible placement of Lawtis Donald Rhoden in northeastern Lancaster, California,
Superior Court Judge Megan Wagner stated her possible placement locations for
Rhoden.
She has ruled out Orange County and Twentynine Palms.
She appears to be currently considering either Lancaster or Newberry Springs.
An additional site, not disclosed, has been looked at but
it doesn't appear to have any traction at this time with the court.
The judge at the end of the November 5th hearing inquired
how much money is being laid out monthly by Liberty Healthcare.
Without declaring what specific properties were involved, a Liberty
Healthcare representative stated $8,500 monthly on two sites.
While it is unknown what expenses are included in the $8,500,
nor what properties are involved, my wild guess would be that the $8,500
is being split between the Lancaster and the Newberry Springs properties
as holding rent fees. What else is there?
While not announcing which property, the Liberty
representative stated that one of the landowners wanted a 5-year
lease. That idea wasn't received well.
The Lancaster opposition points sounded very
much like the earlier Newberry Springs' opposition points... nearby
living conflicts, a lack of sheriff coverage in the area, poor cellular
reception, neighborhood fears, et cetera.
New elements include a concentration of homeless people
near the Lancaster site, some of whom stray onto the property and visit
the two dozen old empty trailers stored at the site. Another unfavorable
point is the unpaved roads to the house that after heavy rains sometimes
become unusable for days due to clay.
As stated in previous blogs, the judge needs to place
Rhoden soon as his Constitutional Rights have already been denied him
for two years. I am personally impressed with the judge who is
being very conscientious in considering the limited sites being presented
before her by Liberty Healthcare.
While the Lancaster opposers have presented many similar
objections as Newberry did, important road access problems to the Lancaster
house favor a Rhoden placement in Newberry. However, Rhoden has
convictions in both Los Angeles and Orange counties and the judge can only
place Rhoden in San Bernardino County if an extra-ordinary situation
exists that a residence cannot be located in either Los Angeles or Orange
counties.
Well, there is now a residence available in Los Angeles County,
so the extra-ordinary legal excuse to place Rhoden in San Bernardino County
is invalid. While the judge has the final say and could go with
Newberry Springs, I suspect that Rhoden will be dropped on Lancaster.
Orange County Judge Megan Wagner presiding in her courtroom
