BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Attorneys were scheduled to report to the courtroom of Judge David Zulfa Tuesday morning for a retrial of the man accused of raping a woman in Bakersfield nearly 29 years ago and leaving her for dead.
Zulfa’s courtroom was assigned for the retrial of Michael Allen Fontes, 53. His first trial in 2023 ended with jurors acquitting him of sodomy and deadlocking on other counts, including attempted murder and aggravated mayhem.
Defense attorney Phillip Gillet is representing Fontes, and Assistant District Attorney Ken Russell is prosecuting the case. Pretrial motions and jury selection are expected to take place over the coming days.
Fontes allegedly attacked Cari Anderson after she left a bar on Nov. 23, 1997, leaving her unconscious behind Golden Empire Transit’s maintenance yard off Golden State Highway and F Street. A GET employee found her hours later.
There was extensive bruising to Anderson’s face and body; her throat had been slit. She survived but suffered permanent injuries.
Anderson died in late 2021 at the age of 63. She learned of Fontes’ arrest that year after police said his DNA matched that of genetic material left by the suspect at the crime scene.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News.