Innocent Until Proven Guilty - First, it should be pointed out that if you did it, you're guilty, no

Innocent Until Proven Guilty - First, it should be pointed out that if you did it, you're guilty, no matter what. So you're not innocent unless you're truly innocent. However, our system presumes innocence, which means that legally speaking, even the obviously guilty are treated as though they are innocent, until they are proven otherwise.
Emma Leigh Barker The murder case against Stacey Barker finally appears to be nearing the trial phase of the legal process. argus ii retinal prosthesis system At a hearing held at  the Michael Antonovich Antelope Valley Courthouse in Lancaster, CA.on August 11,  Superior Court Judge Hayden Zackey said the court is still shooting for a trial the week of September 26, 2010.  At a previous hearing Judge Zacky required the prosecution and the defense to agree if they want him to preside over this trial the only excuse for it not happening in September is if his schedule has a conflict. Stacey Barker is a 25 year old woman from Lancaster, CA accused of suffocating her 18 month old daughter, Emma Leigh Barker, to death before dumping Emma's body in tall grass on the side of the freeway on March 18, 2009.
When Emma was first reported missing, Stacey Barker claimed Emma had been kidnapped. Barker claimed she had been knocked out by "the kidnapper" as she loaded her daughter argus ii retinal prosthesis system into her car seat when they were leaving playtime at a local park. Barker claimed the next thing she knew she came to six hours later in her car, now parked several miles away in a Palmdale park and ride lot, partially unclothed, injured and her daughter was missing. Because Barker argus ii retinal prosthesis system did have injuries consistent with a struggle she was transported to the hospital for treatment argus ii retinal prosthesis system and an Amber Alert was issued for Emma.The next day Barker admitted making up the abduction story and led authorities to Emma's body. She said the little girl died accidentally, causing her to panic (afraid she would be blamed) and leave the girl's body near the freeway.    On April 27,2009, Barker was arrested and the charges filed against the young mother include murder, assault on a child causing death and child abuse. Stacey Barker formally entered a not guilty plea to all counts on August argus ii retinal prosthesis system 12, 2009. She has since been held at the Century Regional Detention Facility in the city of Lynwood on $1 million bond . The purpose of this article argus ii retinal prosthesis system is to share the details of the hearing on August 11 . Once again, Tori, and friends have taken time out of their day to attend the hearing and share the details with us. ~ thank you ladies ~ The hearing got started early, around 9 a.m.. Deputy District Attorney Kelly Cromer was first in the courtroom today, followed by Public Defender argus ii retinal prosthesis system Roberto Dager. When Judge Zackey came in, court got under way even though argus ii retinal prosthesis system the defendant wasn't in the courtroom yet. At the July 26 hearing, PD Dager had requested an inmate named Erin Sutton, who was communicating with defendant Barker, be brought into court to answer some questions. PD Dager told the court that Erin Sutton is or claims to be a GOVERNMENT AGENT! argus ii retinal prosthesis system Judge Zacky asked, "Do you mean a government informant? Dager said," NO, on one of the taped conversations with my client he identifies himself as a Government Agent. An employee of the state." Dager wants him in court to answer questions about other cases he has testified in and so forth...under oath and the hearing was scheduled for August 11. Erin Sutton We overheard someone say something like "HE" is refusing to talk or that "HE" should refuse to talk...something along those lines, it was hard to hear. (. Apparently the "star witness" for the day didn't want any part of these proceedings .) Shortly after, the Bailiff informed the court, "He" is here" (in holding cell) . Judge Zacky and the Bailiff exchanged a few words before the Judge called PD Dager, DDA Kelly Cromer and the Court Reporter with her steno machine to his chambers.   (We speculate that Erin Sutton was brought into Judge's Chambers to answer Dager's questions in private. We were disappointed at not being able to hear Sutton's testimony; but, unless it is sealed we will find out eventually, especially if the state uses any of the communication between Sutton and Barker at trial.)
 I should add that  Mr. Dager told the court this information about Sutton, on the record, on July 26. While we normally report anything argus ii retinal prosthesis system that is on the record, we felt we should wait to disclose this until after this hearing. If Erin Sutton has incriminating testimony against Ms. Barker, you can be sure the defense will try everything they can to discredit him. Frankly just the fact Sutton  is a convicted criminal gives the defense a leg up, especially if he is benefited for testifying.....that is....unless Barker was recorded saying or wrote something to incriminate herself An Aunt of Stacey Barker commented at the Now Public forum ., evidently in reply to our question, "Why would Stacey Barker associate herself with such a guy as