A Novato inside designer made her first court docket look Monday after being charged with stealing from a former consumer in Strawberry.
The Marin County District Legal professional’s Workplace filed prices of grand theft and receiving stolen property in opposition to Cesalee Venetta Venema, 43.
Venema, representing herself in court docket on Monday earlier than Choose Kelly Simmons, filed a petition to disqualify Simmons from the case. Defendants and prosecutors have the precise to disqualify one decide. Venema didn’t state her motive in court docket.
The case was reassigned to Choose Kevin Murphy and the arraignment was scheduled for Friday. Venema additionally requested for a public defender to be assigned to her case.
Marin County sheriff’s investigators arrested Venema on Oct. 16 after the previous consumer accused her of stealing property from the house over a five-month interval, together with $80,000 price of jewellery and reward playing cards. Venema had been employed as an inside designer and home organizer, sheriff’s Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn mentioned.
When the home-owner confronted Venema, she admitted she spent roughly $5,000 on a present card and took a $200 reward card, however she denied stealing jewellery, Schermerhorn mentioned. He mentioned Venema admitted to taking the sufferer’s jewellery and stolen reward playing cards after investigators discovered them at her dwelling.
Venema bailed out of Marin County Jail after her arrest whereas the prosecution reviewed the case for potential prices. The prosecution filed prices on Oct. 18.
Venema couldn’t be reached for remark after her listening to Monday.
Initially Revealed: November 5, 2024 at 5:54 AM PST
