LAKEPORT >> The case of Robert Wade Hitchcock, 47, was scheduled to be presented to a jury trial this month. However, Hitchcock’s Defense Attorney Mitchell Hauptman appeared in court for the scheduled trial readiness conference and requested that the settlement be continued as there were scheduling issues.
Hauptman also requested that a motion to suppress also be continued.
Hitchcock is charged with the following nine counts: Murder, Two Counts of Gross Vehicular Manslaughter, Vehicular Manslaughter, DUI (Influence Of Drug While Causing Injury), Possession of A Controlled Substance, Possess Controlled Substance Paraphernalia, Driving with Suspended License and Under the Influence of Controlled Substance.
The charges stem from an incident last September when, according to a report by CHP officer Kyle Zerber, Hitchcock was allegedly driving a 1993 Ford F-150 truck westbound on Main Street in Lower Lake when he struck the victim’s car, pinning her between two vehicles.
The victim was later identified as Nichole Marie Welborn, 40, of Clearlake and officials say she was trying to get into her car, which was parked in front of Barreda’s Lower Lake Feed Store, when she was struck by the Ford F-150 truck. It is unclear whether the victim died at the scene or later from her injuries.
Hitchcock, who was wearing his seatbelt, sustained no injuries in the fatal crash and was taken into police custody after investigators determined he was under the influence.
At the request of Defense Counsel, the Motion to Suppress is continued to March 22 at 8:15 a.m. in a department to be announced.
Hauptman also requests that a bail hearing be heard on March 22 and that the people put anyone on notice who needs to be made aware of the bail hearing.
A new jury trial date will be announced.
