Defendants in Separate Murrieta Killings Get Same Attorney

Two men charged with murder in two killings that occurred a day apart in Murrieta will now be represented by the same public defender.

A conflict was declared Monday by the previous defense counsel for William Gary Simpson, Jr.— , a spokesperson for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office confirmed.

"A conflict was declared, I don't know what that conflict is," DA's office Spokesperon John Hall told Patch in an email.

Two new public defenders, Jeff Zimel and Douglas Redden, were appointed Monday, Hall confirmed.

Zimel, who told Patch he has defended at least 20 murder cases, also serves as co-counsel for William Dayle Long, the Riverside County Sheriff's Deputy charged in the

An eight-hour preliminary hearing had been scheduled for Simpson Aug. 10, but with the new defense counsel, that was pushed back to Sept. 14.

"The preliminary hearing is usually the prosecution's show to see whether the judge believes there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial," Zimel told Patch by phone Monday.

"Between myself and Mr. Redden and the investigators we have a wealth of experience...It is going to take us some time to review all the evidence and get up to speed."

Zimel said that will include meeting with the defendant, Simpson.

Proceedings in Long's case have moved along at a quicker pace. Long's preliminary hearing ; his jury trial is set for Oct. 18.

Both defendants remained jailed at Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta.

Hall offered no further comment from the DA's office on the re-appointment of public defenders for Simpson's case except to say "...new defense attorneys coming in is not unusual at all."

Saskia's mother, Catherine Burke, shared her thoughts on the news that Simpson's preliminary hearing had been pushed back.

"Once again, we are facing a postponement…," Catherine wrote, in a statement to Patch. "...We are not awaiting a trial, to prove to us the police have charged the right person...the trial is plainly a legal formality. Another torture laid upon us to endure."