Los Gatos resident Shannon O’Connor, 49, entered a plea of not guilty in Santa Clara County Superior Court on Monday, responding to a grand jury indictment that brought more than 60 charges against her the previous week. The indictment includes 20 felonies and 43 misdemeanors. Central to the charges is the allegation that O’Connor provided alcohol to minors, some as young as 14, leading to severe intoxication and subsequent vomiting.
Deputy District Attorney Rebekah Wise, leading the prosecution, outlined the severity of the charges, indicating that multiple minors were found unconscious due to alcohol intoxication, with instances of sexual abuse and physical injuries, including broken bones. O’Connor appeared in court in a green jail uniform and was seated in the front row.
The indictment stems from incidents alleged to have occurred over an 11-month period in 2020. Since the initial charges, the case has faced several delays, during which seven additional charges were added. Wise clarified that these new charges encompass felony sexual assault, felony dissuading a witness, and further counts of child endangerment.
Prior to the trial decision, O’Connor’s defense team contemplated a plea deal that would have led to a 17-year sentence. However, they opted for a trial instead.
In the grand jury proceedings, approximately 17 victims provided testimony, detailing the profound impact of the incidents on their lives. The District Attorney’s Office’s decision to employ a grand jury indictment in this case is seen as an unusual move, potentially presenting unique challenges for O’Connor’s defense. Legal analyst Steven Clark noted that this strategy deprives the defense of the opportunity to cross-examine witnesses in a preliminary hearing, compelling them to rely heavily on the grand jury transcript for trial preparation.
O’Connor is currently detained at the Elmwood Women’s Complex in Milpitas, with her next court appearance scheduled for December 20, where her legal representation will be confirmed, and a possible trial date may be set.
