ORLANDO, Fla. – Former Orlando city commissioner Regina Hill was in court Wednesday as attorneys updated a judge on preparations ahead of a trial.
During the status hearing, Hill’s defense asked for more time to go through witnesses and evidence in the case.
“We have some discovery issues to resolve, some depositions to take. It’s going well for us,” defense attorney Fritz Scheller said.
Hill faces more than half a dozen charges after the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said she exploited a 96-year-old woman.
Hill was accused of gaining control of the woman’s finances and draining her life savings of more than $100,000.
Investigators alleged that she used the funds for personal expenses such as purchasing a home and funding a facelift. They also claimed that Hill secured a power of attorney over the woman.
[See video below of Regina Hill walking out of jail after her arrest in 2024]
Wednesday’s hearing occurred a couple of days after the state announced a key witness would not be called in the case through a court filing.
In May, the defense requested to remove Sandra Lewis from the witness list, citing her “willful and blatant disregard for her obligations as a state witness.”
[WATCH: DCF investigation found Regina Hill did not exploit elderly woman, documents reveal]
Scheller stated that Lewis provided dishonest responses during depositions and expressed doubts about her work as a canvasser for former State Attorney Andrew Bain and as a temporary worker for Shan Rose, who succeeded Hill.
Scheller remarked, “Sandra Lewis would have been a rewarding cross-examination for me. There’s obviously some regret that I won’t get to cross-examine her, but I understand the state’s decision not to use her.”
Hill, who is running to win back her seat on Nov. 4, previously expressed hope that the trial would be resolved before election day.
A status hearing in the case was announced for Oct. 22, but a trial date has not been scheduled.
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