LAKEPORT — A judge Monday postponed the trial in the Lake County murder case that drew statewide and national attention because of its reported connection to California”s online Megan”s Law sex offender database.
Ivan Garcia Oliver, 34, of Lakeport, faces three felonies, including murder, for allegedly stabbing Michael A. Dodele, 67 on Nov. 20, 2007.
Oliver pleaded not guilty to the counts and denied several special allegations against him in the case.
One allegation claims Oliver used information from the Megan”s Law website to commit the crimes against Dodele, who was listed as a registered sex offender.
Oliver”s jury trial was set to begin next week, but his defense attorney, Stephen Carter, had a timing conflict because of another homicide case currently in the middle of trial.
Lake County Superior Court Judge David W. Herrick found good cause to continue the matter Monday afternoon at the Lake County Courthouse. The judge rescheduled the trial for June 20.
Oliver, who remains in custody at the Lake County Hill Road Correctional Facility, will next appear in court on June 11 for pretrial proceedings.
