BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) \u2014 The dispute between the Open Door Network and the Kern County District Attorney\u2019s office hit airwaves on the biggest radio talk show in town. Lauren Skidmore appeared on the Ralph Bailey Show and responded to the DA\u2019s office which called her unethical and unprofessional.<\/p>\n
The DA demanding victims\u2019 advocates to stop speaking publicly \u2014 that\u2019s the topic of closed door meetings described by the Open Door Network CEO Lauren Skidmore who said nonprofits have been brought into the DA\u2019s office and told not to talk about cases.<\/p>\n
Open Door Network values \u2018publicity over ethical prosecution\u2019: Kern County District Attorney\u2019s Office <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cSo basically what somebody has told me is they call them in for the meeting, they present them with this letter, and then they go over media statements that were problematic and they do it in person,\u201d said Skidmore.<\/p>\n The letter Skidmore is referencing was drafted by Assistant District Attorney Ken Russell, and she said she received it in September of 2025.<\/p>\n The letter read, \u201cThe Kern County District Attorney\u2019s office is asking that you refrain from public comments about pending cases until the case is concluded and sentencing is complete. I am providing you with written notice to comply with our obligations.\u201d<\/p>\n Skidmore did not attend the meeting and did not stop talking. That\u2019s when the Open Door Network was fired from its role in the Family Justice Center.<\/p>\n Skidmore said she\u2019s not the only one to receive a letter like this, but she\u2019s the only one willing to speak publicly.<\/p>\n \u201cThey unfortunately are not interested in coming forward because they\u2019re concerned that their victims will not be heard in court,\u201d said Skidmore.<\/p>\n It\u2019s not only advocates who\u2019ve reached out to Skidmore \u2014 previous prosecutors have also allegedly contacted her. They told her that they feared retaliation from Zimmer.<\/p>\n \u201cI can\u2019t even begin to explain the dozens of messages that I\u2019ve received from prior employees, stating that there has been so much fear of retaliation in that office and there has been individuals that have experienced direct retaliation and that this is not uncommon,\u201d said Skidmore.<\/p>\n We asked for the DA\u2019s response to Skidmore\u2019s statements, and Assistant District Attorney Joseph Kinzel replied.<\/p>\n Below is his statement:<\/p>\n We have an ethical obligation to counsel partners of the responsibility to ensure a fair trial for all sides on pending cases that we are currently prosecuting. The rules of professional conduct require as much from a prosecutor.<\/p>\n Ms. Skidmore acknowledged that she is unfamiliar with ethics required for prosecuting cases. This is why ADA Ken Russell sought to meet with her personally; to discuss the ethical requirements as she is associated with the DA\u2019s office. Had she shown up for the meeting, Ms. Skidmore would have been counseled against discussing pending KCDA pending jury trial cases and making media appearances where she expresses opinions on guilt or heinousness of case facts, specifically including her public comments on the Kevin Mays case and the case involving the death of Genesis Mata. Ms. Skidmore scheduled, then refused to attend the meeting requested by Mr. Russell, the Assistant DA that oversees the Family Justice Center and its partners. Had she attended, she could have been counseled on how this applies to pending jury trial cases; not completed ones. She would have been advised that she is welcome to discuss the hundreds of thousands of criminal cases that have gone through the trial process in Kern County as well any the millions of cases prosecuted by any other county prosector\u2019s office, the United States Attorney, or the California Attorney General to make whatever points she chooses \u2014 just not the cases actively being prosecuted by KCDA and pending jury trials.<\/p>\n That the DA\u2019s office takes rules on pretrial publicity seriously should not be lost on members of the media, who routinely ask, and are routinely declined DA comments on pending jury trial cases and investigations. DA press releases detailing case facts come only after jury deliberations have concluded, and rare press releases or conferences on newly filed cases of significant interest are limited on what information is provided to ensure compliance with these ethical responsibilities.<\/p>\n Adherence to these standards is a primary reason why judicial \u2018gag orders\u2019 on cases are seldom necessary and a rare occurrence, and why Kern County cases are almost never subjected to change of venue motions that would put the case in another county, to be decided by non-Kern County jurors.<\/p>\n \u200b\u200b\u200b\u200b\u200bThe Family Justice Center remains open. The operations agreement with the Open Door Network continues through March 31. The letter ending the partnership was sent in late February to ensure that the required thirty days notice to the Open Door Network was provided so that they may have sufficient time to vacate before the new partner takes occupancy in the Family Justice Center on April 1.<\/p>\n