SLO County has 2 new judges, including prosecutor who worked on Kristin Smart trial [The Tribune (San Luis Obispo, Calif.)]

Aug. 3—The San Luis Obispo Superior Court has two new judges — and one is a familiar face.

Gov. Gavin Newsom appointed Deputy District Attorney Crystal Tindell Seiler and Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michaela Kelly to be San Luis Obispo Superior Court judges, according to a San Luis Obispo Superior Court news release.

"(Seiler) is widely respected and has earned an outstanding reputation from among her peers, the defense bar, and judicial officers." San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow said in a separate news release. "Seiler's departure from our office will leave a large impact, but in this important new role as judge she will continue to serve our community with excellence."

Seiler has served as a trial deputy with the District Attorney's Office, and assisted with the prosecution of Paul Flores for Kristin Smart's murder. She also prosecuted numerous high-profile cases, the release said.

In March, Seiler served as prosecutor in the case against San Miguel resident Melissa Roseann Brewer, who was convicted of hit-and-run, insurance fraud and reckless driving in connection to a 2021 crash.

Seiler also represented the District Attorney's Office in its case against Paso Robles resident Skylar Marie Marshall, who pointed a loaded handgun at her husband's forehead and pulled the trigger, killing him in 2020.

A jury convicted Marshall of involuntary manslaughter in May.

Seiler graduated from Templeton High School, then attended Stanford University to earn a bachelor of arts degree in English and political science and a law degree, Dow said.

She worked at a deputy district attorney in SLO County from 2009 to 2011, then served at the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office before returning to SLO County.

Kelly has served as a Los Angeles Superior Court judge since 2018, the Superior Court release said.

Prior to his judgeship, he was a partner at Sidley Austin LLP from 1987 to 2018.

Kelly earned his law degree from Yale Law School.

Seiler is replacing former San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Hernaldo Baltodano, who was appointed to the California Courts of Appeal in August 2022.

Kelly fills the vacancy created by the retirement of San Luis Obispo Superior Court Judge Charles Crandall.

This story was originally published July 29, 2023, 5:00 AM.

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