Buzzard’s Next Court Date Set, Sheriff’s Gag Order Maintained
LOMPOC, Calif. (KEYT) - The Lompoc division of Santa Barbara Superior Court was standing room only this morning for a hearing in the murder case against Ashlee Buzzard.
The crowd witnessed what turned out to be a quick procedural hearing.
Many of the seats were filled with family members of the late 9-year-old Melodee Buzzard, reporters and media representatives, as well as spectators from the Vandenberg Village neighborhood where she lived with her mother Ashlee.
Ashlee pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder on December 26th.
“I don't know what to expect anymore,” says Lilly Denes, Melodee’s paternal grandmother.
Many of the spectators expressed hopes that the court would move quickly on this case.
“But we need to do something about it, fast,” says Denes. “This is taking so long. Her courts are going to go probably over and over. I don't know. This is the first time we have seen anything like this.”
Judge Stephen Dunkle has maintained the gag order against Santa Barbara County Sheriffs for now.
Buzzard’s next court date is January 21st for a hearing on a defense motion.
Her public defender is Adrian Galvan, but it's unclear if he will continue to represent her.
“She didn’t want to look at me,” says Denes. “She knew where I was. She went straight. I always been in the front. No, I don't know. I don't know. What's going through your mind that she did what she did.”
Melodee’s paternal grandmother Lilly Denes works with your news channel, and she says Melodee’s entire family—including Ashlee’s mother—is hurting.
“She is hurting,” says Denes. “She sent me a message, ‘God help us,’ she put in my message, and I said yes. So I'm sure she's hurting the same as I am, but she's hurting for her daughter. I’m hurting for my grandbaby. My family is huge. And they—every time that you guys interview me, they're ready. Everybody is involved.”
The family is beginning some preparations to lay Melodee to rest, but no date has been set for any services.
Denes says if anyone does feel inclined to donate to the family, to please make sure they're donating to the GoFundMe created by Dee Dee Moreno.
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