COURT CASES REQUIRING THE TESTIMONY OF SANTA CRUZ POLICE OFFICERS WILL BE DELAYED. THE SANTA CRUZ COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY’S OFFICE IS REQUESTING CONTINUANCES TO ALLOW TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO MOURN ITS LOSSES. THIS WILL ALSO ALLOW THE D-A’S OFFICE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY CASES THE SLAIN OFFICERS WERE DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH. AT THIS TIME, IT IS UNCLEAR HOW THE DEATHS WILL AFFECT CASES SUCH AS THE HIGH PROFILE TRIAL OF JOHN BRUCE CLAUER, WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE MURDER OF HEATHER STEARNS. OFFICER Elizabeth BUTLER WAS ONE OF THE LEAD INVESTIGATORS IN THAT CASE.
