Bakersfield Murder Trial Assigned to Judge
A judge has been assigned to the murder case involving two defendants accused of killing a 2-year-old child.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Gregory MacDonald and Chandy McCarthy have been assigned to the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Charles R. Brehmer for their upcoming trial on second-degree murder charges. The case stems from the October 2024 death of a 2-year-old child who was found unresponsive at a home in Bakersfield.
Why it matters
The assignment of the case to Judge Charles R. Brehmer marks a critical step toward trial for the defendants. Proceedings in the courtroom will address the allegations that the child victim sustained fatal injuries, including widespread bruising, in a home on Vernal Place.
Gregory MacDonald, 30, and Chandy McCarthy, 42, are currently facing charges of second-degree murder in Kern County. MacDonald was previously arrested in Nevada on suspicion of harming the victim before the child was pronounced dead at Memorial Hospital.
The players
Gregory MacDonald
He is a 30-year-old defendant who faces second-degree murder charges and was previously arrested in Nevada on suspicion of harming the victim.
Chandy McCarthy
She is a 42-year-old defendant charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of the 2-year-old child.
Charles R. Brehmer
He serves as a Superior Court Judge in Bakersfield and has been assigned to oversee the murder trial proceedings for the defendants.
The details
Police were initially called to a home in the 300 block of Vernal Place on October 10, 2024, after reports of a child in medical distress. Medical examinations following the child's death at Memorial Hospital revealed bruising over much of her body, leading to the charges against the two defendants.
Timeline
October 10, 2024: Police responded to a report of a child in medical distress on Vernal Place.
September 21, 2026: Defendants were scheduled for transport from jail to the assigned courtroom.
Legal Context
The judicial assignment of this trial follows the standard procedural framework for felony murder cases under the California Penal Code Section 187. This step reflects the broader administrative process required to move violent crime charges toward a resolution in the local court system.
The progression of this case through the local Superior Court highlights the ongoing legal response to child welfare investigations in the community. Residents may follow court developments as the case moves toward trial proceedings in Bakersfield.
The takeaway
The formal assignment of a courtroom signals that the legal process for this high-profile case is advancing toward trial. Future proceedings will determine the accountability of the defendants regarding the child's death.
Further reading
For more information on legal proceedings in the region, visit the Criminal Justice section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KGET 17.
