Rafu Staff Report
SAN MATEO — A preliminary hearing in the domestic violence case of Yoshiaki Nagaya, a vice consul with the Consulate General of Japan in San Francisco, was scheduled for July 24 but has been delayed until Aug. 27.
“On July 24, there was another defense motion to continue, which was granted by the judge,” explained San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe.
Nagaya, 32, a San Bruno resident, is charged with 13 counts of domestic abuse. According to prosecutors, his wife, who is much smaller than him, was subjected to constant violence from January 2011 to March of this year.
“Violence included occasions when he stabbed her in hand with screwdriver, knocked her tooth out during another assault, and stomped on her other times,” according to a report by the District Attorney’s Office. “Victim photographed her injuries after every attack. In March during argument, suspect threw her out of car in their apartment parking garage and she had scrapes on her face and knees. Victim decided to go to police and described the long-term abuse. Police investigation was initiated and suspect was arrested.”
The case was set to go before Judge Robert Foiles in Redwood City Felony Court. The defense motion to continue the preliminary hearing in order to complete the transcripts of various victim and witness statements was granted without prosecution objection.
“Over the defense and people’s objections, Judge Foiles granted the request of two Japanese television stations to televise the preliminary hearing on Aug. 27,” said Wagstaffe.
This is the third setting of the preliminary hearing date since the initial felony arraignment on May 7. Nagaya remains out of custody on $350,000 bail bond. His defense attorney is Gerrick Lew.