The trial against Julio “Candyman” Diaz, the former Milpas Street doctor who allegedly overprescribed powerful pain medications to many of his patients, has been postponed from May to August, according to the U.S. Central District Court of California.
A judge ruled last week in favor of the delay to allow Diaz’s new lawyer time to review the case. In December, Diaz nixed his deal with prosecutors, withdrawing his guilty pleas on 11 charges related to the drug-related deaths of 11 patients. He said his former attorney didn’t inform him of the consequences of the deal, including a possible 200-year prison sentence.
If he is convicted of the 88 total charges, he could face a 1,500-year sentence.