Update: O.C. courthouses close to the public because of coronavirus concerns

Orange County courthouses will be closed to the public for at least two weeks due to health concerns related to the coronavirus, court officials announced late Monday, temporarily halting any upcoming jury trials.

At the request of local court officials, California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Gorre Cantil-Sakauye issued an emergency order closing to the public Orange County court facilities until at least March 30, including the main court in Santa Ana and branch courts in Newport Beach, Fullerton and Westminster.

Residents who have received jury summons for that time period will not be required to appear for jury duty, court officials said. Those already seated on juries should contact the courtroom they are assigned to for additional information.

Officials said the closure is not related to any reports of coronavirus exposure, but instead are being instituted out of an “abundance of caution to help limit the spread of the virus and the potential for future exposure.” While the public will be barred from the court facilities, officials said, court employees are expected to report to work as normal.

Similar court closures or reductions in court services were announced Monday in other Southern California counties.

Court officials in Orange County are still working out the impact on ongoing criminal trials, as well as arraignments for newly arrested suspects. More details are expected to be released on Tuesday.

Coronavirus concerns have already sidelined several high-profile local trials.

On Monday morning, the ongoing trial of a former attorney accused of strangling one of his ex-wives and throwing her body off an Italian cruise ship has been suspended until next month.

Citing the closures of other public and private institutions and the advice against large gatherings by health experts, Orange County Superior Court Judge Richard M. King told jurors Monday that the trial of Lonnie Kocontes will be suspended until April 6.

“We obviously have a health crisis,” King told jurors. “It is best for everybody’s health to take a break.”

Neither Kocontes nor his attorney opposed the judge’s decision. Jurors, all of whom showed up to court on Monday, were told that they will remain on call if the situation changes in the next several weeks.

Kocontes is accused of killing Micki Kanesaki, whose body was found in the Mediterranean Sea in May 2006, more than a day after Kocontes reported her missing from a cruise ship. Kocontes has denied killing Kanesaki, with his attorney contending she could have died from a fall rather than foul play.

Kocontes had been expected to take the stand on Monday. His attorney confirmed to the judge on Monday morning that Kocontes is still planning on testifying.

A short time later on Monday morning, the ongoing murder trial of John Breceda was also suspended until April 6.

“While there is no particular risk I am aware of in this court and in these proceedings, I am aware we are facing unprecedented times,” Orange County Superior Court Judge Sheila Hanson told jurors in the Breceda trial.

Breceda, who is accused of betraying and killing a friend he was supposed to provide muscle for during a drug deal, opposed the delay. His attorney asked for a mistrial, a request Hanson denied.

“The longer we go, we face the potential of facts becoming stale in jurors minds,” Tom Nocella, Breceda’s attorney, told Judge Hanson. “We are facing a huge amount of uncertainty.”

Two jurors in the Breceda trial didn’t come to court Monday due to illness. A third told the judge he had a cough, and was sent home early.

Judge Hanson noted that the Center for Disease Control has recommended limiting gatherings of 50 or more, while local public health officials have now reported evidence of community transmission of the coronavirus in Orange County.

Hanson also cited California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call over the weekend for Californians over 65 to self-isolate at home. Several members of the Breceda jury are in that age range, the judge noted.

On Friday, Orange County Court officials took steps to decrease the number of jurors called to local courthouses by suspending many civil jury trials, reducing the number of prospective jurors called for criminal trials and staggering the times when jurors were ordered to appear.

Court officials on Monday said they were still working on measures meant to protect public health.