At 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Michael Garcia, age 47, of Bakersfield, was found in his jail cell by correctional deputies following an apparent suicide attempt. Rescue efforts were initiated and performed by deputies until Emergency Medical Services arrived. Garcia was transported by paramedics to the hospital for treatment. Garcia is currently in critical condition.
Took these photos an hour ago.
I have written about several Humboldt Deputy County Counsel leaving recently. Add one more to the list. This is someone who has saved the County money and been successful in representing the County.
In July, I wrote about former Deputy County Counsel Vince Uberti leaving. In September, another Deputy County Counsel left. The Department is short staffed and due to hiring freezes, the burden of the work increases on the few attorneys and legal staff. The Board of Supervisors keep hiring outside Counsel which costs taxpayer money. This is not to say all Supervisors are on board with that solution.
Gerald McGuire, Aunna Bollman, Frederick Breckenridge and Kathleen Marcotulli are just some of the wins Mr. Chapin has secured for the County of Humboldt.
I have seen Mr. Chapin in court, I have interacted with him in person. He is professional, very knowledgeable and hardworking. While I understand his reasons for leaving, this is a big loss for the County of Humboldt, Humboldt Superior Court and his colleagues at County Counsel.
Mr. Chapin informed Humboldt Interim County Counsel Scott Miles of his decision on Monday, November 18. His official resignation will be handed in today and he will be leaving in mid December. Mr. Chapin is leaving for personal reasons and to be closer to family.
Today, Brandon and Jesse Widmark had trial confirmation scheduled in their cases for the jury trial scheduled on 12/6. Further trial confirmation is scheduled. Ms. Andrea Sullivan represents Jesse Widmark. Ms. Rebecca Linkous is Brandon Widmark's attorney.
Ms. Sullivan filed a 827 petition in February which I reported on in my June post. There had been no communication from Humboldt Superior Court in June. Today, it seems the petition got lost in the clerks office and she requested a continuance. 827 petition is a request for access to confidential information from a juvenile case.
I will add more information later. A very busy week and so details to court cases will be added when I have time.
There is an ex parte hearing scheduled this afternoon in a civil unlimited case under the real property category. Floyd Squires is being sued by Eureka Capital Group LLC. The way the online court calendar lists the case, it is unclear what role Community Loan Service LLC plays in this lawsuit.
Humboldt Bay Fire Station #3, located at 2905 Ocean Avenue in Eureka, is set to undergo a significant remodel of its living quarters, beginning today. During this renovation, the engine company typically stationed at Fire Station #3 will temporarily relocate to Humboldt Bay Fire Station #1, located at 533 C Street.
Joseph Raymond Shinn was arrested again by DA Investigator Ryan Hill yesterday afternoon on a Ramey warrant and booked for PC 288.7(a) oral copulation with a minor, PC 311.3 (a) sexual exploitation of a child, PC 311.11(c)(1) possession of child porn involving sadism or masochism, PC 311.4 (a) employment of a minor for pornography and PC266 (j) transport a minor for lewd purposes or child prostitution. He is on no bail status unless that is changed by the court.
I did a post on October 7 about 46 year old Shinn's arrest by DA Investigator Ryan Hill for PC 288.2(a)(1) sending harmful material to seduce a minor, PC 288.3(a) contacting a minor for sexual purposes and PC 288.4(b) arranging to meet a minor for lewd purposes.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/10/another-arrest-by-da-investigator-ryan.html?m=1
Shinn has an arraignment scheduled tomorrow for a 2024 case. I will update this post.
Instead of being stuck in windy and rainy weather in Humboldt next week, local California State Association of Counties attendees will be in sunny Los Angeles County.
Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo and most of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will be in Pasadena all week at the CSAC conference. Several Couty staff will also attend for continuing education and certifications.
Convicted felon Jackson Parrott is no stranger to law enforcement. His name is familiar to readers and anyone who pays attention to the jail log or local crime news. Just this year he was arrested twice in the last 4 months; in August 2024 and most recently on November 13, 2024. A search for Parrott's name in Humboldt Superior Court system comes up with 25 related searches.
I was in courtroom 3 on 11/14 covering several cases and Parrott and three cases on calendar. He was arraigned on information in in CR2403119C. Bail in that case is $1,500,000.
In April 2023, I reported on a lawsuit filed by Vickie Victorine lawsuit against Fortuna Elementary District.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/04/fortuna-elementary-district-sued-for.html?m=1
The case settled in October 2024 and future dates scheduled for 11/1/24 and 11/4/24 were vacated. There is a dismissal hearing scheduled on 11/18. The settlemental is conditional. If the case is dismissed as agreed, this is my last update on the lawsuit.
Jury started deliberations yesterday came back with a guilty verdict in convicted felon Jesus Loza Zamacona's CR2300870 case this afternoon but did not stick around to talk to either attorney.
I have covered his case before. This wasa retrial. When Mr. Nims was Loza Zamacona's attorney, there was a mistrial. Judge Lawrence Killoran presided over both trials.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/04/deputy-public-defender-talks-to-witness.html?m=1
Ms. Rebecca Linkous took over the case from former Deputy Public Defender David Nims. Mr. Nims now works at Conflict Counsel. Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris is the prosecutor for the trial.
You are not allowed to take photos on the second floor of Humboldt Superior Court but just a few minutes ago, Presiding Judge Kelly Neel was walking on the second floor with Humboldt's next Judge. Ms. April Van Dyke who will her enrobing ceremony in January 2025.
Based on how previous court assignments have been handled and because Ms. Van Dyke previously worked at Conflict Counsel, I am sure she will be assigned to family law or juvenile dependency. Unless Assistant Presiding Judge wants a change from hearing civil cases.
In March 2024, I reported on a lawsuit filed by St. Bernard parishioner Josephine Silva against Redwood Acres. My last update was in September 2024. At that time, the only date scheduled was a Case Management Conference and trial setting on 1/10/25.
Silva is represented by the Zwerdling Law Firm. The defendant GMBE, LLC by Mr. Jeffrey Kramer.
I noticed the case was on calendar today. The hearing is on a motion filed by Mr. Nate Zwerdling on October 10 for preferential trial setting. He also filed a declaration in support of the motion. I have included both those court documents but not all the exhibits. I am not posting Silva's driver's license or the private investigator's memorandum but you can read the arrest, incident report and see photos of Silva's injuries.
Jack Wu owns Jack's Seafood in Eureka, has a partner and owns Ginger in Eureka and is opening a restaurant in Arcata. Jack took over the former Mazotti's location which reopened as Venicia. In my coverage of the lawsuit filed by Wallace and Hinz against Joe Mazzotti, Jack was subpoenaed to testify in that lawsuit. You can google the posts on the Wallace and Hinz lawsuits.
I just received a tip minutes ago from someone in the restaurant business that Jack is interested will be opening a Hibachi restaurant at the location of former Tres Chiles Picosos in Eureka. I spoke with Jack and he confirmed the news.