Ashlee Buzzard Pleads Not Guilty, Sheriffs Issued Gag Order
SANTA MARIA, Calif. (KEYT) - Ashlee Buzzard was arraigned at Department 9 of Santa Barbara County Superior Court in Santa Maria today.
Buzzard was accused of shooting her 9-year-old daughter Melodee and leaving her body in Utah.
In custody but dressed in a blouse, Buzzard had her attorney enter a plea of not guilty, causing a stir among community members in attendance.
Buzzard’s 9-year-old daughter Melodee was reported missing in October after a three-day road trip with her mother, and was found dead in Utah in early December, having been shot in the head.
“I was just angry,” says one of Buzzard’s Vandenberg Village neighbors, Khristiana Valrie. “I mean, I just don't understand it.”
Buzzard was arrested on Tuesday, and was arraigned in Santa Maria the day after Christmas, where she had her attorney, public defender Adrian Galvan enter a plea of not guilty, and denial of additional allegations.
“Surprised me and the whole people that were there!” said Melodee’s grandmother Lilly Denes.
Galvan also made a motion for a gag order against Santa Barbara County sheriffs, advising them not to release any evidence or materials not in public record. Judge John F McGregor signed the motions and set Ashley's trial date for January 7th.
“We have no idea about the services,” says Denes. “They will let me know right away when the body's going to be at the funeral parlor. Then we go from there and see about services.”
The D.A. office has advised against seeking the death penalty.
“Yeah, maybe that's better,” says Valrie. “So that she can… She'll have to think about this every day of her life. Sitting in that cell. I think it's better. The death penalty is just the easy way out, I believe.”
Melodee’s grandmother Lilly Denes, who works with your News Channel, says she’s most certainly upset, but will patiently await court proceedings to see how the case progresses.
She is also advising the public not to give any money to any GoFundMe’s which are fake, as the Meza family is not asking for financial assistance.
“Please don't send any money to none of those GoFundMe’s, because, you know, we really don't need it,” says Denes. “It's already covered by the state. So whatever is left, if there is any money that they need, I got the money I can pay for it and my family.”
Members of Buzzard’s Vandenberg Village neighborhood say the not guilty plea confuses and upsets them, and some feel Buzzard is receiving special treatment.
“Her not wearing the jumpsuit, the makeup,” says Valrie. “And then she's just, like, emotionless. I hope she spends the rest of her life in prison, in misery.”
The community is nevertheless breathing a sigh of relief that Buzzard is still being held without bail.
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