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FD-350 (Rev. 7-16-63) - es . 4 ; (Mount Clipping in Space Below) Grogan Mistrial Ruling Assailed Dist. Atty. Joseph P: Buschlafter Deputy Dist. Atty. Burton Jr. ‘has assailed a, judge’s|Katz asked a deferise. witness mistrial ruling in ‘the murder|about statements Grogan alleg- trial of a Charles Manson fol-jedly made concerning a plot to lower, calling the judge’s deci-/kill a ranch owner. sion “absurd” and “outra- Grogan is charged with the Rens. _ {decapitation murder of Spahn Busch criticized Friday’s rul-| Movie Ranch wrangler Donald ing. by Superior Court Judge Jo-| (Shorty). Shea whose body nev- seph Call that a question posedjer tas een found. « 5 by a prosecutor in the trial of Steven, Grogan, 20, was prejudi- cial and grounds for a mistrial. “T have read the Steve Gro- gan trial transcripts of ast Thursday and Friday after’ learning that the court decided there was error in certain ques- tions asked by the prosecutor in the case,’ Busch said. | “The decision of the court to order a mistrial,’ he continued, “after hearing testimony that filled 5187 pages of transcript, has to be one of the most outra- geous abuses of discretion I} have encountered in my 20 years. of experience in the dis- trict attorney's office.” Stating flatly that Judge Call \“was wrong,” Busch noted that} there is no way to. have. this: fing reviewed ... Mr. Gro- gan will be tried again but un- fortunately, at further great ex- pense to the taxpayers. ? \ The district attorney said that the. has never before criticized court ruling. “However,” h ted,, “this time is one. timé Hen I feel the criticism is no ly warranted’ but, dictated b' the_bast- interests of the nublic., The mistrial was declare (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) Ku3 Herald-Examiner Los Angeles, Calif. pete: 8/31/71 Edition: Tuesday Latest Author: Editor: Title: Character: or Classification: du Submitting Office: Log Angeles [_] Being Investigated =~ INDEXED ee SEP 4 1971 FBI—LOS ANGELES