Suspect In Nursing Student's Death Is Pregnant

HAYWARD, Calif. (AP) -- A 27-year-old woman has been charged with murder in the case of a missing Northern California nursing student, but her arraignment was postponed because authorities learned she is pregnant with her second child.

An Alameda County Superior Court judge said Thursday that Giselle Esteban needed medical clearance from doctors before criminal proceedings against her can commence. Neither Esteban nor a lawyer representing her were in court and a new arraignment date was not set.

Prosecutors have charged Esteban in the death of 26-year-old Michelle Le. Police believe Esteban, a former friend of Le's from high school, attacked Le in a Hayward parking garage on May 27.

Her body has not been found.

Esteban told KGO-TV in June that she hated Le because Le was friends with the father of Esteban's 5-year-old daughter. But Esteban denied having anything to do with Le's disappearance.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)