Riddhi Patel preliminary hearing enters 3rd day

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Attorneys are expected to present arguments Monday and a judge rule on whether a criminal case will proceed against a protester who at an April meeting told the Bakersfield City Council, “We’ll see you at your house, we’ll murder you.”

17 News will live blog the proceedings.

Riddhi Patel, 28, is charged with 21 felony threat-related counts. She’s free on $500,000 bail.

Judge Brian M. McNamara could dismiss some or all of the counts, or find there’s sufficient evidence for her to stand trial on all counts.

Patel and several family members have attended the hearing, now in its third day.

Patel was criticizing security measures at an April 10 city council meeting — claiming the measures were retaliation against protesters who demanded the council pass a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza — when she made the statement during public comment. She was arrested immediately afterward.

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