The jury trial is still scheduled later this month for the man suspected of killing Hollister’s Lisa Hall.
The trial is set to start 8:30 a.m. Feb. 25 in courtroom 2 of the San Benito County Courthouse with a trial confirmation hearing on the calendar for Thursday, according to court records.
Michael Simas, 34, is accused of manslaughter in the 2017 death of the Hollister woman. Authorities arrested him Aug. 9, 2017 on suspicion of homicide. But charges from San Benito County District Attorney Candice Hooper were reduced to voluntary manslaughter and using a firearm in a felony.
Voluntary manslaughter is defined as killing someone upon a sudden quarrel or heat of passion but without malice. If found guilty of voluntary manslaughter, Simas would face three to 11 years in prison as opposed to a potential life sentence. He faces an additional charge of using a firearm while committing a felony, which includes a penalty of up to 10 years in prison.
Simas, represented by attorney Harry Damkar, remains at the San Benito County Jail on $750,000 in bail.
Hall died after being dropped at the local hospital following the shooting. Police arrested Simas and recommended charges of murder and destruction of evidence.
According to the police statement released after the arrest:
On Aug. 9, police arrested Simas for his suspected involvement in the killing of Hall, age 40.
After her death, Simas agreed to meet with police detectives and answer questions as to how she was shot and killed on Aug. 8, 2017. He arrived at the police department with his attorney.
