Crime & Safety

Public Defender Now On Summit Fire Case

Case's next court hearing now set for April 11; Santa Clara County Deputy Public Defender Javier Rios says client Channing Parker Verden is 'stressed.'

Santa Clara County Deputy Public Defender Javier Rios appeared in Superior Court Wednesday to represent the

Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Rise Jones Pichon set a new trial-setting date for April 11, in department 24.

previous attorney, Michael Hingle, withdrew from the case last month due to what Santa Clara County Deputy District Attorney David Boyd said was the defendant's inability to pay for counsel.

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"I was recently appointed on the case so I need to now review the file so I can assess how long it will take me to get ready for trial," Rios said. "Once I finish reviewing these voluminous documents and photographs, then I'll be able to say when the trial could start. It's a complicated case."

He added: "It's going to take a lot of work to get up to speed on where the case stands right now."

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Verden, who was present during the hearing, is said to be heavily burdened by the charges brought against him stemming from Cal Fire investigators allegations that he left burning piles of debris at a home located at 31000 Summit Road owned by Los Gatos resident Andrew Napell, causing the fire.

"It's always a lot of stress," Rios said of his client's state of mind. "He's facing a very stressful situation. Mr. Verden is facing a serious allegation and he's keeping a good attitude and takes the matter seriously."

Rios said he hoped that by the time he returns to court he'll know enough about the case that he'll be able to tell the judge how much time he'll need to prepare for trial.

Cal Fire has said the Summit fire burned 4,270 acres, began at 5:17 a.m., destroyed 35 residences, 64 outbuildings, caused 16 injuries and cost more than $16 million to fight.

A Google map on Cal Fire's website shows how the inferno engulfed many mountainous areas in Los Gatos and came dangerously close to Highway 17, 10 miles roughly from the center of town, according to Cal Fire spokesman Daniel Berlant.

If convicted, Verden could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison or receive probation or no jail time, Boyd said.

It's possible, however, that Verden could receive probation. "It's not likely that any court would find this offense for which probation should not be granted," Boyd said. "If he's convicted, I suspect most judges would give probation."


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