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DSA In the News

Still no plea in Hillsborough murder

Published on 9/3/2010


The Hillsborough man who prosecutor say fatally shot his longtime friend twice in the head and once in the buttocks after an argument at his parents’ home once again postponed a plea to charges of murder and using a firearm.

Bradley Kleiman, 30, appeared in court for the fourth time yesterday since being arrested for shooting Christopher Calvache. Kleiman was scheduled to enter a plea and set a preliminary hearing date but defense attorney Tony Gibbs asked for a 30-day delay, said Assistant District Attorney Karen Guidotti.

A judge ordered Kleiman back Sept. 17.

If the defense continues to delay, Guidotti said the District Attorney’s Office will ask a judge to enter a not guilty plea on his behalf.

Kleiman has admitted shooting Calvache, 30, but called it self defense.

Kleiman called 911 just after 6 p.m. June 15 to report shooting Calvache in a pool house detached from a five-bedroom main house on De Sabla Road where his parents live. Calvache and Kleiman were the only ones on the property at the time. Kleiman said he shot Calvache during a struggle after his friend pulled a gun on him.

Calvache was shot twice in the head and once in the buttocks, according to prosecutors who also say the friends had planned to go to dinner together before the altercation. When police arrived, they reportedly found Kleiman carrying marijuana plants in the backyard and a weapon and casings inside the pool house. Authorities have not confirmed who owned the gun.

Kleiman was on parole at the time of the shooting for felony driving under the influence causing injury and reckless evading a police officer. He also had a narcotics possession charge in Santa Barbara.

Kleiman remains in custody no-bail status.