Will Michael Youravish get life without parole for the killing of Forrest Croft Lovejoy?

I asked the District Attorney's office about the jury trial for Michael Youravish with the special allegation of "killing while lying in wait" when he had already plead guilty to the murder.  The information that he had already plead guilty to murder being circulated is incorrect.

Deputy District Zachary Curtis responded, "A first degree murder conviction would give a sentence of 25 – life.  The special allegation would make the sentence life without parole.  I think more importantly, though, justice sometimes demands that we not be willing to drop a count or an allegation and have the final outcome of the case reflect those facts that a jury can say that we were able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt.  Our task in the DA’s office is not to get convictions, but to see that justice is done - and we are willing to go to great lengths to do exactly that."

The jury is currently in deliberations for this case.

Oct 23, 2015

Jury trial starts for Eureka man charged with "willful, deliberate, premeditated" murder of Mckinleyville man in 2013

Jury selection is currently going on in Courtroom 1 for Michael Youravish, a Eureka man was arrested in 2013 for the "willful, deliberate and premeditate" murder of Forrest Croft Lovejoy. There is also a special allegation of "killing while lying in wait."

The murder allegedly occurred in the "Baldy area" of Mckinleyville. The death penalty had been considered for the case. District Attorney Maggie Fleming confirmed that the death penalty is not being sought in this case. Youravish has already plead guilty to the murder charge but the District Attorney's office amended the complaint to add the special allegation.

Judge John Feeney is the trial judge. Deputy Zachary Curtis is prosecuting the case. Public Defender Owen Tipps is representing Youravish.