Nearly eight years after a 15 year-old was murdered in Santa Barbara County, the prime suspect may finally stand trial. A lengthy appeal is over and both sides are getting set to go back in front of the judge. Jesse James Hollywood has a name you would think could be involved in a movie. And his murder trial was delayed because of allegations involving a motion picture. Those delays may be over as the California State Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office.

Hollywood's attorney James Blatt challenged the use of Deputy District Attorney Ron Zonen who helped a film maker with the motion picture, "Alpha Dog," based on the controversial murder case.
In August of 2000 Hollywood allegedly masterminded the kidnapping and killing of Nicholas Markowitz who was taken from his West Hills neighborhood (in Los Angeles County) and shot to death in a shallow grave off San Marcos Pass above Goleta.

District Attorney Christie Stanley says, because of issues involving this appeal, "we took Mr. Zonen off of this case almost at the same time we appealed the decision. Josh Lynn, Senior Deputy District Attorney in our office has had the case for a period of time. He's ready to go now. We want to go to court and announce we're ready the next time we can get there."

Blatt told KEY News by phone, "I think it shows a good faith attempt by her office to have Mr Hollywood obtain a fair trial. We have five to ten motions to do before we get into a trial situation. There may be a change of venue motion." He expects the trial to begin either later this year or early next year.

Four other suspects in the case have been tried and convicted.
Hollywood was the most difficult to locate. He fled the country and was on the FBI's most wanted list. He was found in Brazil in March of 2005.

KEY News Senior Reporter John Palminteri spoke with attorney's from both sides and has more on this story.