Man acquitted of home burglary

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A man has been acquitted of burglarizing a Bakersfield home, his attorney at trial pointing out inconsistencies in witness testimony, according to a release from the Kern County Public Defender’s Office.

A jury on Thursday found James Rudy Govea not guilty of felony residential burglary. He had faced up to six years in prison if convicted.

Govea remains in custody on unrelated misdemeanor cases.

“We thank the jury for their thorough review of the evidence, which brought the truth to light and delivered a just not guilty verdict,” Deputy Public Defender Brandon Mata, Govea’s attorney, said in the release.

On May 8, police were called to Pershing Street and spoke with a homeowner who said she saw someone fleeing her property. The suspect took a bicycle when confronted.

Police searched the area and found Govea, whom the homeowner identified as the burglar.

At trial, Mata “maintained his client’s innocence, pointing out several inconsistencies in witness testimony,” according to the release.

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