LAKEPORT, Calif. – A Lower Lake man set to go to trial next week on charges that he hit and killed a Kelseyville restaurateur may see further court proceedings put off until this spring.

James Walter Nightingale, 31, is charged with vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, driving on a suspended license and probation violations.

Last Sept. 24 Nightingale – driving a Chevrolet Suburban – allegedly hit and fatally injured 57-year-old Zino Mezoui, who was riding his motorcycle along Highway 29 near Siegler Canyon Road, as Lake County News has reported.

Investigators allege that Nightingale then left the scene and abandoned his vehicle not far from the crash.

Nightingale, who has remained in custody since his Sept. 29 arrest, appeared in Lake County Superior Court in Lakeport late Monday afternoon along with his appointed counsel, Jacob Zamora.

Zamora filed a motion asking the court for a 60-day continuance because he said he had been unable to get expert witnesses lined up, and had to bring in a second investigator as his main investigator had a conflict on the case.

Deputy District Attorney John Langan said he didn't have an objection to Zamora's request.

Zamora said Nightingale previously had no time waiver on his case, but he was now offering a limited time waiver moving forward.

Langan asked to schedule the next appearance a few weeks after April 18, and Judge Andrew Blum suggested May 2.

Nightingale asked for time to think about it, and Blum said he could continue the hearing to give him time to make the decision.

Blum ordered Nightingale to return to court, this time Department 4 in Clearlake, first thing Tuesday morning, at which point the court will hear Nightingale's decision on the time waiver issue and if he'll be agreeable to the May appearance.

E-mail Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow Lake County News on Twitter at http://twitter.com/LakeCoNews , on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lake-County-News/143156775604?ref=mf and on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/LakeCoNews .