In an unusual event, the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, rather than a defense attorney, requested a continuation of a criminal case.

The March 14 preliminary hearing for Marcus Novell Green was continued until April 24 at the request of Deputy District Attorney Samantha Paixao. The defense did not object.

Green, 52, of Thermal, was the driver of a car that went over the side of Highway 74 in May 2016 resulting in the death of a 5-month-old child. The District Attorney’s Office has filed two felony charges — murder and willful child cruelty — as well as gross domestic violence.