Judge Won't Drop Charges In SF Murder Of German Tourist

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) – A San Francisco judge has denied a motion to dismiss murder charges against five suspects in the killing of a German tourist last summer.

50-year-old Mechthild Schroer was shot and killed on August 8, 2010 while walking with her husband near Union Square at Geary and Mason streets

The suspects in the case were indicted in late September. But defense attorneys asked that charges be dismissed after failing to receive a grand jury transcript.

KCBS' Bob Melrose Reports:

State law requires that a completed grand jury transcript be made available within 10 days of an indictment, although court reporters can seek up to 20 more days as some transcripts can run more than a thousand pages long.

Judge Anne-Christine Massullo ruled on Monday that a dismissal on this issue cannot be granted until 10 days before the trial date, which is set for December 16.

Defense Attorney Rebecca Young said that there needs to be justice in this case.

"The path to that is not through the obstruction of justice to the defendants," she said.

The District Attorney's office said the court reporter is suffering from a medical condition and they expect to get the transcripts in time for the trial.

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