Courtroom delays for Hanford hit-run suspect

HANFORD, Calif. (KFSN) -- A surprise motion at a court hearing delayed a hearing for a man accused in a deadly hit-and-run.

Another setback for the parents of Caleb Flores who were hoping to have this case move forward. The issue at hand, whether statements the suspect made to his wife can be heard in court.

Matthew Caleb Flores was killed as he was walking along 10th Avenue north of Hanford back in August of 2013. It was dark and the 22-year-old was left in the road after a car hit him, and then took off. One year later, his parents are still devastated by the crash.

Ten months after he was killed, police were finally about to track down the driver in the car that hit him, Ronald Spanke. He was charged after he was arrested for a separate crime. Wednesday, Spanke was in court for a hearing to determine what charges he'd face at trial, but instead, his attorney threw a curveball. Robert Stover asked that all statements made by Spanke's wife about the crime, be banned from being heard in court, something prosecutors were counting on.

Prosecutor Louis Torch explained, "Under the law there is what's called a marital privilege and so communications that would be between a husband and wife they're essentially sacrosanct."

Conversations between spouses that could be kept secret. Prosecutors were planning to use comments he made to his wife about the crime. The statements were also made in front of two other people, which prosecutors hope means the comments can be used as evidence.

Torch said, "If a statement is made by either spouse in the presence of a third party then typically that privilege is waived."

Flores' parents say they just want justice for their son. Spanke is facing up to four years in prison if he's convicted for the hit-and-run.

Both parties will be back in court on October 15th. At that point a judge is expected to make a decision on whether the statements the suspect made at his wife-can be heard at a hearing.