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# Hammer hearing bumped ’til May
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/hammer-hearing-bumped-til-may/
- Published: 2005-04-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T06:35:11.000Z
- Author: Ryan Hyatt
- Tags: Crime, Santa Monica Airport, #archive-import

*Hammer awaits fate while on paid leave*

AIRPORT COURTHOUSE — The underage sex case against a Santa Monica High School band director is in settlement negotiations.

A preliminary hearing for Carl Hammer was scheduled to begin on Friday, but was postponed until May 2 so attorneys can attempt to reach a settlement out of court. However, attorneys on both sides declined to discuss any details of the negotiations.

If a settlement isn’t reached, prosecutors on May 2 will present their case and Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Keith Schwartz will determine if enough evidence exists to proceed with a trial.

Hammer, who worked in Santa Monica public schools for nine years before his August 2004 arrest, and was widely respected within the community, declined to discuss the case.

“We’re trying to figure out the best way to settle this case,” said Los Angeles Deputy District Attorney Eva Jabber.

Hammer appeared in court wearing a dark blue suit, and was calm and clean-shaven. He spoke during court proceedings only once, when asked by Judge Schwartz if he was willing to waive his right to a speedy trial.

“Yes,” he said, quietly nodding his head.

Hammer was freed immediately after his arrest on $40,000 bond. He pleaded not guilty in October.

On July 8, the Santa Monica Police Department was contacted by the California Department of Children and Family Services regarding a child abuse investigation. Police then conducted their own investigation and issued a warrant for Hammer. The two charges stem from an alleged encounter on July 6, 2004.

The Daily Press is not identifying the victim or her family. Though the victim was not a Samohi student, her siblings are. The alleged victim and Hammer were neighbors.

While the case works its way through the criminal court system, Hammer has been placed on paid leave from the Santa Monica-Malibu School District and has been ordered to stay 100 yards away from the victim and not associate with minors, except his own children, who attend local schools.

Samohi’s award-winning band is widely respected, thanks in part to the tutelage of department chair Terry Sakow and Hammer, who also played trombone for the Santa Monica College orchestra.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 12, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041205.pdf?ref=smdp.com)