Quick Take
A Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge again postponed the long-delayed murder trial of Leif Ames after the defendant’s attorney failed to appear at a trial readiness hearing, citing a scheduling conflict. Prosecutors objected sharply to the setback, warning that the case — already nearly six years old — could now be pushed into 2026, deepening the frustration of the victim’s family.
After three years of delays, a Santa Cruz County Superior Court judge again postponed the murder trial of Leif Ames when the defendant’s attorney failed to appear, due to a scheduling conflict with another trial.
Judge Stephen Siegel postponed the trial at Wednesday’s trial readiness hearing and set a new meeting for Dec. 19 at 8:30 a.m. to schedule it. The trial was previously scheduled to begin on Dec. 15 and Ames has been out on bail since Sept. 2021.
Siegel said defense attorney Jamyrson Pittori needed to be present virtually at minimum to select a new date to start the trial.
In March 2020, Ames was charged with stabbing his best friend, Hubert Cross, 23 times, in Ames’ Live Oak home, according to court records. Cross visited that day because Ames’ brother had asked him to check on his friend. Shortly after Cross arrived, Ames grabbed a knife and attacked Cross. Court records show that Ames called 911 to report that he had stabbed his best friend. Police say he was compliant when officers arrived but found copious amounts of hard drugs in his home. Ames pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Hubert’s wife, Otilia Cross, was in court Wednesday morning with several friends. Ames sat on the other side of the courtroom.
Assistant District Attorney Kristal Salcido, who is prosecuting the case, told the judge she objected to postponing the trial and expressed frustration that Pittori didn’t appear.
“We continue to object. We are ready for trial,” she told Lookout. “This is devastating for the family, and the case is ready to go.”
Defense attorney Bryan Hackett acted as substitute counsel for Pittori. He told the court that Pittori said she won’t be available for trial until March 16 because she is arguing another homicide case, but he didn’t have further details. He stepped outside the courtroom for several minutes in an attempt to reach her but said he was unable to.
“It’s common for defense attorneys to email the court if they’re going to have substitute counsel, but she didn’t provide any notice that she wasn’t going to be here today,” said Salcido.
Salcido said she was surprised by Pittori’s absence. It means the trial could be delayed until 2026 — six years after Cross was stabbed.
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