A weekslong trial for the man accused in the shooting death of Deputy Ryan Clinkunbroomer, a West Ranch High School graduate who was murdered while working for the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station, could now be pushed back to July.
Kevin Eduardo Cataneo Salazar, 31, is accused in the Sept. 16, 2023, shooting of Clinkunbroomer, who was shot in the head in what the Sheriff’s Department called an “unprovoked ambush” at the intersection of Sierra Highway and Avenue Q.
A Feb. 4 hearing was scheduled Monday in front of Judge Ronald Coen, who heard the case at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justice Center in Downtown Los Angeles. The case moved there last month after the Antelope Valley Courthouse was deemed to not have a courtroom that could accommodate the duration of the trial.
The defense previously had asked to move the trial downtown due to concern over community bias in the jury pool against the defendant. The move ultimately was being made out of necessity, according to Judge Scott Andrew Yang at a previous hearing.
Clinkunbroomer was shot in the head at the intersection right next to the Palmdale station near the end of his shift, according to LASD officials. The murder of the 30-year-old fourth-generation deputy — described as a dedicated and well-liked field training officer engaged to be married — sparked outrage in the community.
L.A. County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who authored a motion to name the Castaic Sports Complex after Clinkunbroomer, is hosting a ceremony at the facility from 10 a.m. to noon Jan. 16 to commemorate the installation of new signage. The public is welcome.
Coen began Monday by asking the prosecution to re-affirm its decision to not seek the death penalty, which prosecutors did, according to a transcript of Monday’s hearing. The court was missing a formal declaration, according to Coen.
Salazar’s public defender was then asked to confirm his client’s plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, which each side prepared for with two separate medical evaluations regarding those claims, for a total of four reports.
Based on the estimated length of the trial, Salazar’s attorney indicated July 20 would be the earliest date a trial could start, according to the transcript from Monday.
Both sides are expected to meet next month to look closer at the trial schedule. The hearing next month also is expected to discuss pretrial matters, including evidence reports.
Salazar remains in custody without bail pending his next court hearing.
