Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Trump Says Many Are Starving in Gaza, Vows to Set up Food Centers

18 hours ago

California Governor Candidate Stirs Outrage With Auschwitz ‘Unemployment Plan’ Post

19 hours ago

Gold Price to Stay Above $3,000/Oz as Flight to Safety Endures

20 hours ago

S&P, Nasdaq at Record Highs as US-EU Trade Deal Sparks Optimism in Pivotal Week

20 hours ago

Trump Warns Iran That Its Nuclear Sites Could Be Bombed Again

20 hours ago

Israel Announces Daily Pauses in Gaza Fighting as Aid Airdrops Begin

2 days ago

California School Board Resigns After Audit Reveals $180M in Improper Funding

3 days ago

A First Look at Fresno State’s Quarterback Battle

4 days ago
Arambula Jury Selected. Daughter Expected to Be Lead Witness.
David Taub Website photo 2024
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 6 years ago on
May 2, 2019

Share

When Judge Alvin Harrell III announced that the jury in the Joaquin Arambula child abuse trial had been selected, the 60 or so remaining members of the juror pool erupted in applause.

“Jury selection will take longer than the actual trial,” Harrell quipped in his authoritative but light-hearted manner.

The prospect of the three-day jury selection lasting longer than the actual trial may have been an exaggeration. Opening statements in the Democratic assemblyman’s court case begin Friday morning (May 3).

Arambula stands accused of misdemeanor child cruelty stemming from a Dec. 9 incident involving his seven-year-old daughter at the family’s home. Court filings suggest Arambula slapped his daughter in the face, leaving a mark.

Arambula said publicly that all he did was spank his daughter on the bottom. He has been on leave from the assembly for the last nine weeks.

The first witness is expected to be Arambula’s daughter, the alleged victim.

Picture of Child’s Injury Shown

During jury selection, Arambula’s attorney Margarita Martinez-Baly showed three photos of the victim taken after the alleged incident. The seven-year-old girl had a visible red mark near her right eye. Two of the photos were from the side; one was from the front (where the bruise wasn’t as visible).

Martinez-Baly often called her a “beautiful child.” She asked potential jurors if they would automatically believe a child. Many responded they would need to hear all the evidence.

As Harrell officially read the charging document, outlining the single child cruelty charge leveled at Arambula, the assemblyman shook his head as if to indicate it was untrue.

Starting Friday, the jury will hear the evidence then eventually make determine guilt or not.

The Jury

Over the last three days, the prosecution and defense whittled down a 180-member jury pool to 12 in the box plus two alternates. They are split evenly — six men, six women (the alternates are one and one as well).

The jurors’ occupations range from two who work for the IRS, one who is a state prison guard, a zookeeper, a CalTrans employee, and one high school teacher. The list also includes two who work office jobs, and two retired individuals.

The main line of questioning during voir dire revolved around the ability of jurors to be impartial, putting aside their views on such issues as politics, corporal punishment, and child abuse. Exposure to prior media coverage did not necessarily disqualify any juror member.

Most of the jury pool said they had not formed an opinion regarding Arambula from prior media coverage or experiences with corporal punishment.

Harrell warned jurors not to research the case, or discuss the case with anyone, and to follow the law as instructed.

The first day of jury selection saw about half eliminated for cause or hardship. Some were based on scheduling conflicts. Harrell instructed those jurors to reschedule their duty. Others had health hardships. The judge excused them outright.

During the subsequent two days, Harrell conducted another round of questioning. A handful of other prospective jurors were struck for cause or hardship. Prosecutor Steve Wright utilized three of his six peremptory strikes, dismissing a juror without a specific reason. The defense used its privilege just once.

Witness List

Hanging on the back wall behind Arambula and his defense team was a witness list containing 36 names.

Eight potential witnesses are from the Fresno police department. They include Sgt. Stephen Phebus, who was first on the scene Dec. 10 at Dailey Elementary Charter after the school contacted Child Protective Services as a mandated reporter.

The list included four names from the Fresno County Dept. of Social Services (of which CPS falls under). Amber Fithian, the social worker who responded to the school is on the list.

At least five Arambula family members — wife Elizabeth, parents Joaquin and Amelia (Amy), brother Diego, and brother-in-law Nate Miller — are on the list.

Another five are either administrators or staff at Dailey.

The witness list includes at least four expert witnesses, either doctors or therapists, who are expected to testify.

The remaining witnesses are believed to be family friends of Arambula.

It is unknown if the defense plans to call Arambula to the stand. The trial is expected to last 7-10 days.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

DON'T MISS

New York City Mayor Says ‘Active Shooter’ Incident Taking Place in Manhattan

DON'T MISS

Shooting Outside Casino in Reno, Nevada, Leaves 3 Victims Dead, 2 Critically Wounded

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

DON'T MISS

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

DON'T MISS

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

DON'T MISS

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

DON'T MISS

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

DON'T MISS

Naindeep Singh Joins Fresno City Council Race as Campaign Fundraising Totals Roll In

DON'T MISS

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

UP NEXT

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

UP NEXT

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

UP NEXT

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

UP NEXT

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

UP NEXT

Fox Business News Host Throws Shade at Merced Over High-Speed Rail

UP NEXT

Fresno Man Sentenced to 7.5 Years for Role in Opioid Trafficking Scheme

UP NEXT

Tulare County Wildfire Advisory Issued Near Lake Kaweah

UP NEXT

Fresno’s Mission Thrift Has Its Third Fire in Recent Weeks

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Barbie Nicole Hall

UP NEXT

California Governor Candidate Stirs Outrage With Auschwitz ‘Unemployment Plan’ Post

David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

12 hours ago

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

12 hours ago

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

12 hours ago

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

13 hours ago

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

14 hours ago

Naindeep Singh Joins Fresno City Council Race as Campaign Fundraising Totals Roll In

14 hours ago

Fresno Home Suffers Major Damage in Saturday Night Fire, Family Cat Rescued

15 hours ago

Senator to Unveil Aviation Safety Bill on Eve of Fatal Crash Hearing

15 hours ago

Fox Business News Host Throws Shade at Merced Over High-Speed Rail

15 hours ago

Trump Says He Turned Down Invitation to Epstein’s Island

15 hours ago

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

Two suspects are behind bars after a commercial burglary at a Dollar General in Fowler, the Fowler Police Department said on Monday. Officer...

11 hours ago

Two repeat theft offenders were arrested and a third suspect remains at large after a burglary at a Dollar General in Fowler, police said. (Fowler PD)
11 hours ago

Two Arrested in Dollar General Burglary in Fowler, Third Suspect at Large

New York City Mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan in New York City, U.S., June 3, 2025. (Reuters File)
11 hours ago

New York City Mayor Says ‘Active Shooter’ Incident Taking Place in Manhattan

The Grand Sierra Resort casino is seen after a fatal shooting in Reno, Nevada, U.S., July 28, 2025 in this still image taken from a video. ABC Affiliate KOLO via REUTERS
11 hours ago

Shooting Outside Casino in Reno, Nevada, Leaves 3 Victims Dead, 2 Critically Wounded

12 hours ago

Fresno County Repeat DUI Offender Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Deadly Crash

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio attends a nuclear cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony with Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani (not pictured), at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 16, 2025. (Reuters/Umit Bektas)
12 hours ago

Venezuelan Little League Team Denied Entry to US Over Travel Ban

Fresno City Hall Fresno Police Officers Association
12 hours ago

Fresno Seals Deal with Police Union. No Deal Yet With Firefighters.

Kim Yo Jong, sister of North Korea's leader Kim Jong Un attends wreath laying ceremony at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, Vietnam March 2, 2019. (Reuters File)
13 hours ago

North Korea Says Trump Must Accept New Nuclear Reality

San Diego Homeless Encampment
14 hours ago

What Does Trump Crackdown on Homelessness Mean for California?

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend