The preliminary hearing for the highly publicized case of 15-year-old Alison Chao, a missing Asian American girl, took place on October 22 at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Los Angeles. The defendant, Jeffery Chao, who is Alison’s father, did not appear in person but participated via video conference. The judge ultimately decided to postpone the pretrial date to November 14, allowing the defense more time for preparation.
During the hearing, the defense attorney emphasized the defendant’s background as a veteran, arguing that this aspect should be considered during sentencing. Additionally, the attorney pointed out that a recent law passed in California might impact the proceedings, necessitating further examination of the law’s specifics. According to the defense, this legislation was approved by both the state assembly and senate at the end of September and signed by the governor; however, its effective date remains uncertain.
The defense argued that the complexity of the case and the changing legal landscape made the request for a postponement essential. After hearing the arguments, the judge found the request reasonable, particularly given that the new law has not yet come into effect. Consequently, the judge signed the postponement order, rescheduling the pretrial for November 14.
On that day, many local community members of Asian descent gathered at the courthouse to show their support. One elderly woman, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed her support for Jeffery Chao, stating that she wanted to attend to gain a better understanding of the case and hopes for a fair trial.
