by Larry Richman
October 5, 2006 8:18 PM

Strange timing, given that we just posted links to the new official "Alpha Dog" trailer and website. The decision has finally been handed down in the long-running case by Jesse James Hollywood's lawyer, Ron Blatt, to have Santa Barbara County Deputy DA Ron Zonen removed from the Hollywood case for aiding director Nick Cassavetes in the production of "Alpha Dog." This is the case that has dragged on for over a year, and was documented in a front page story in The New York Times awhile back. It's been mentioned time and time again on TV and in the news media as each successive court handed down motions. This was the final step in the appeals process.

Hollywood's defense lawyer Blatt won. Santa Barbara county Deputy DA Ron Zonen has been ordered removed from the Jesse James Hollywood case by the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Ventura CA. They ruled that he improperly collaborated with Nick and his chief researcher, Michael Mehas, by turning over papers in the case during the research for the movie.

Finally, for the first time, defense attorney Blatt has stated publicly what has been long rumored -- he will ask a federal court to block the release of "Alpha Dog." This was no secret, but he hadn't stated it until now.

You can read the Associated Press article HERE.