If all goes according to plan, the trial of Edward Wackerman for the 2022 Oak Fire could begin in Fresno around March 2027.
During a hearing Sept. 14, before Fresno County Superior Court Judge Houry Sanderson, a new prosecutor took over the case.
Sherri Adams will now be prosecuting the case for the Mariposa County District Attorney’s Office. Adams is a retired prosecutor with the San Joaquin District Attorney’s Office.
She is the fourth prosecutor to handle the case.
On Oct. 22 the judge will hear pretrial motions likely to include a defense Miranda motion to suppress Wackerman’s alleged confession to then-Mariposa County DA Walter Wall.
In court it was revealed that briefs are also expected to be filed over what was described as “geofencing.” That may refer to search warrants executed for cellular devices or other types of electronic surveillance.
Judge Sanderson said he would like to review a potential jury questionnaire by Feb. 22, and to begin jury selection by Feb. 24.
The trial was moved from Mariposa County to Fresno County because of pretrial publicity. There is a gag order in the case preventing both sides from talking to the press.
Wackerman is charged with 17 counts of felony arson connected to the 2022 Oak Fire that started July 22 and burned more than 19,000 acres. The fire destroyed 127 homes and 66 other buildings.
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