BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Riddhi Patel, accused of making death threats toward the Bakersfield City Council was back in court Wednesday. Several city leaders were in attendance for the first days of Patel’s felony preliminary hearing, including council members and the city clerk.
While all council members were there as witnesses, they were dismissed at the very beginning of the hearing to be called back at a later date. Instead, the police officers who were at the council meeting back in April gave testimony on what council members told them at the time.
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Patel, 28, has been charged with 21 felonies; 8 of those threatening elected officials because of the explosive remarks she made at a city council meeting back in April.
This hearing is to determine if Patel will head to a jury trial. Judge Brian McNamara did not allow us to film anyone besides Patel, lawyers, and the judge along with no audio of the proceedings.