Skip to main content
Search
Services
LAW CENTER

Teen slaying suspect's mom is freed

Prosecutor drops accessory-to-murder charges in Vitale case

vert.dyleski.cnn.jpg
Scott Dyleski and his lawyer talk in the courtroom through a screen.

MARTINEZ, California (CNN) -- The mother of a 16-year-old accused of killing a high-profile attorney's wife was released from custody Friday after accessory-to-murder charges against her were dropped, the prosecutor told CNN.

Esther Fielding made a brief court appearance in Contra Costa County Superior Court to be arraigned on the charges. Harold Jewett, the deputy district attorney for Contra Costa County, said he addressed her directly in the hearing and asked if she would agree to testify "truthfully" in her son's trial.

She said "yes" and he agreed to drop the charges, Jewett said.

Fielding's son, Scott Edgar Dyleski, has been charged with murder and will be tried as an adult for allegedly killing Pamela Vitale, 52, who was bludgeoned to death in her home October 15. Vitale's husband, Daniel Horowitz, is a high-profile defense attorney and occasional TV commentator. Dyleski was a neighbor.

According to an affidavit filed in the case, the mother allegedly told her son about the police presence in the area on the night of the slaying and advised him to spend the night at his girlfriend's house, because the road had been blocked off.

Harold Jewett, the deputy district attorney for Contra Costa County, said that in the hearing he asked Fielding if she would agree to testify "truthfully" in her son's trial.

She said "yes" and he agreed to drop the charges, Jewett said.

Dyleski, who will be tried as an adult on first-degree murder charges, was arraigned Thursday. He did not enter a plea.

The hearing was continued until November 9 after his attorney withdrew from the case citing "financial considerations" and a previous association with the Dyleski family. (Watch Scott Dyleski's arraignment -- 2:10)

Dyleski is being held on $1 million bail, and a public defender will be assigned to represent him, the judge said.

A hearing on a defense request for a gag order is to be held November 10. Both sides in the case support the motion because of the intense publicity.

Story Tools
Subscribe to Time for $1.99 cover
Top Stories
Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.
Top Stories
Get up-to-the minute news from CNN
CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

City:
Search
© 2007 Cable News Network.
A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved.
Terms under which this service is provided to you.
Read our privacy guidelines. Contact us. Site Map.
Offsite Icon External sites open in new window; not endorsed by CNN.com
Pipeline Icon Pay service with live and archived video. Learn more
Radio News Icon Download audio news  |  RSS Feed Add RSS headlines