A 29-year-old man, accused of fatally shooting a well-known Caltech student, recently had a felony gun charge dismissed by a judge appointed by Governor Newsom, according to the California Post.
Judge Osman Abbasi mandated that Freddie Snyder take a gun safety course and released him around Christmas time, just weeks after the murder of astrophysicist Carl Grillmare.
Snyder faced two felony charges—one for being in possession of a loaded firearm, and another for attempting to flee on December 23. Despite this, he was released on his own recognizance.
He was scheduled to return to court on February 5 but failed to show up. Still, his safety policy was accepted, and under California Penal Code 1385, the case was abruptly dismissed.
A mere 11 days later, Snyder allegedly shot 67-year-old Grillmare at his remote home in Antelope Valley, California.
The police discovered Grillmare bleeding from his torso on his balcony. Despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities later apprehended Snyder, charging him with murder, auto burglary, and robbery.
He appeared again before Judge Abbasi on February 18 for arraignment on these new charges, with his bail set at $3.175 million.
Judge Abbasi, who took office in August 2025, was appointed to replace retired judge Anthony A. Trendacosta. His biography notes that he is a Democrat.
Members of the Muslim community celebrated Abbasi’s appointment, viewing it as a significant advancement in enhancing representation within the legal system.
Care California stated, “His appointment marks an important step forward in increasing representation in our nation’s legal system and improving access to justice for marginalized communities.”
It remains unclear why Abbasi opted to dismiss Snyder’s December indictment under the 1385 provision, described by the Los Angeles law firm DCD Law as focusing on “the interests of justice.” This means judges consider various factors, including the nature of the crime, the circumstances surrounding the accused, and public interest.
As of now, the Los Angeles Prosecutor’s Office has not commented on the situation.
