Addressing wasteful spending by sending me junk mail

 

Addressing wasteful spending by sending me junk mail.

Verdict in Destinee Rhamy case

This morning, the jurors in voluntary manslaughter suspect Destinee Rhamy's case started deliberations at 9:30 a.m.

At 9:56 a.m. attorneys were notified there was a note from.the jury. 9:58 I heard there is a verdict in the Destinee Rhamy case. I will update here first or Facebook whichever is more convenient; I don't know yet. They are getting people together so it could take a while.

11: 05 Sgt. Comer just said 2 p.m. for the verdict. A juror has an appointment.

Rhamy is charged in Count 1 with PC 192 (a) voluntary manslaughter. Count 1 special allegation is PC 12022 (b) (1) use of a deadly weapon; a knife. Count 2 is PC 245 (a) (1) assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Count 2 special allegation PC 12022.7 (a) infliction of  great bodily injury. The alleged victim in both counts is Holland Renee Elbik , Rhamy's former roomate.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran presided over the trial. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Rhamy's attorney.

Courtroom 5 has been packed with family members and supporters of both Elbik and Rhamy. There is even more limited seating due to rows cordoned off with yellow tape for weeks.

If you have not been following my regular coverage which includes daily updates on jury deliberations, check previous coverage.

Convicted sex offender and statutory rapist Jared Johnson only gets four years in prison

 

**Recent booking photo has been requested now that he has been sentenced**

Convicted sex offender and statutory rapist Jared Johnson was sentenced by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Cockrum this morning to 4 years prison and 873 custody credits.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer appeared on the case today for Deputy DA Whitney Timm who is the prosecutor for the case. Ms. Timm wrote a letter to the Court and Probation asking for the maximum term of 3 years which would have been doubled to 6 years. Judge Cockrum sentenced Johnson to the mid term of 2 years and that was doubled to 4 years.

Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian is Johnson's attorney.

Another juvenile arrest by HCSO, for burglary and vandalism at Babe's Pizza

Babe's posted this yesterday. HCSO press release has details.

"Peeping tom" and indecent exposure Victor Phetsomphou remanded in court yesterday

 

I have been the only one covering three of indecent exposure and criminal invasion of privacy suspect Victor Anakin Phetsomphou's cases and arrests.

He had preliminary hearings, a motion to continue, a motion to compel and an arraignment scheduled yesterday morning and was remanded into custody.

Deputy DA requested remand. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum granted the request.

Court minutes will be added later.

Second Hoopa suspect booked into custody for March 10 investigation

 

William RandolphBilly Warren was arrested by HCSO on a Ramey warrant yesterday for PC 664/187 (a) attempted murder, PC 182 (a) (1) criminal conspiracy and PC 12022(c)(1) armed with a firearm during the commission of a felony.

This is the second Hoopa suspect booked into custody from the March 10 investigation.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/03/hcso-arrests-15-year-old-preston-lee.html?m=1

HCSO press release issued at 8:50 has the same information I already posted.

Very sad to see the obituary for Judge Cissna

(Photo submitted by family)

Even though many people in the community and the Humboldt Courthouse knew, reading the obituary is very final. Prayers for his family. May he rest in peace.

Judge Timothy Cissna was in the group of now retired judges when I first started covering Humboldt Superior Court. I was just speaking with someone at the courthouse of one of the many cases and trials I covered in his courtroom. In a very high profile case, the Jason Warren case which I covered every hearing,  with three victims, the families got to know me as many do going through the system. There was a request from one of the victim's mother to have me read her victim statement in court. I am very grateful to Judge Cissna for allowing me that opportunity. It was an unusual request but that case was horrific and he knew what that request meant to the family and why they asked me to read it.

There are several attorneys in Humboldt who appeared before Judge Cissna. They knew not to talk in his courtroom and they knew not to be late.

HCSO arrests 15-year-old Preston Lee Ruiz II on a no bail warrant in connection with yesterday's shooting in Hoopa

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is has arrested 15-year-old Preston Lee Ruiz II, on a no bail warrant for in connection with the shooting that occurred in Hoopa on Mar. 10, 2026.  Ruiz was taken into custody after being located at residence located off State Highway 169 near Wautec.  

Ruiz will be booked into Juvenile Hall on the following charges:

PC 664/187-Attempted murder

PC 182(a)-Conspiracy to commit a crime

PC 12022-Armed during the commission of a felony

 As a result of the ongoing investigation, detectives with the Humboldt County Major Crimes Division have obtained No Bail warrants for the following individuals:

Tse-Lin Qhaba Red Cloud Perry Wayne Lincoln, Indian male Adult 19-years-old of Hoopa

William Randolph “Billy” Warren, also known as William “Bubbz” Lincoln, Indian Male Adult, 18-years-old of Hoopa

They are wanted for the following charges:

PC 664/187-Attempted murder

PC 182(a)-Conspiracy to commit a crime

PC 12022-Armed during the commission of a felony

Kimberly Felder will remain at the State Hospital, Judge Canning revokes his previous court order

 

These are the last three posts I did on Kimberly Felder. No other media covered this development. I explained previously that I am not linking all my posts on the 2017 case. Use the search feature to access all posts on any case. Most local readers who are the ones with an interest in this case know the details.

This morning, Felder's case was on before Humboldt Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning for further determination of  the temporary revocation of court order by Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson. 

Judge Canning revoked previous order and Felder will remain at state hospital. See court minutes for more details. 

This is something I consistently only have to remind certain Humboldt readers

 

It is always people on Facebook and only from Humboldt. 

My advertisers and anyone who supports me gives me complete editorial independence. And I am grateful to them.

Raise your hand if you are shocked there is a bench warrant for a convicted sex offender who failed to register; I am not because in Humboldt there are zero consequences

(Megan's Law)

64 year old convicted sex offender James Michael Timmerman was booked into the Humboldt County jail yesterday on a bench warrant for PC 290.013(a) failure to register as a sex offender but refused by medical.

Maybe if Humboldt judges gave these criminals some consequences which occur frequently enough for repeat offenders, they would take breaking the law seriously.

Georgi Antonov Tonev arrested by HCSO for human trafficking

 

Georgi Antonov Tonev was arrested by HCSO yesterday on a Ramey Warrant PC 236.1(a ) for human trafficking.

I contacted HCSO PIO Erin Inskip and asked, Will there be a press release? If not, can you tell me the location of the arrest and if this was the result of a tip? She responded at 9:23 a.m. a press release will be issued shortly.

I found this online.

Tonev has convictions in all 5 traffic cases in Humboldt Superior Court. Two in 2017; one on 2018; one in 2019 and one in 2020.

Not the first arrest in Humboldt for human trafficking related to cannabis.

I am the only one reporting regularly since the arrest of human trafficking and money laundering suspects Uonan Uonan aka "Chicago John" aka Nicholas Machado and "KGB"'s Humboldt Superior Court 2024 criminal case has been dragging on with needless continuances and the same reasons for years.

3/12/26: DA filed complaint today. Arraignment this afternoon. Tonev is charged with filed 3/12, arraignment this afternoon. Ct 1 PC 236. 1 (a) human trafficking. Alleged victim Javier EscamillaGarcia. I will add dates and attorney information.

Defense requests and is granted a court trial for Austin Medeiros

 

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum's sentencing of convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was overturned on appeal.

Today, at Readiness Conference, Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo requested a court trial Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers had no objection. Doctors are the only witnesses defense intends to call. The competency trial is on 3/16.

In my November 1, 2025 post, Los Angeles  attorney, Daily Journal contributor, former Humboldt Deputy DA  Allan Dollison sent me this message to use as a comment.

"Saw your post. They overturned sentencing because Court needed to do a competency hearing. If he is not competent now then he cannot be sentenced. Also issued an OSC in IAC on Owen Tipps failure to investigate. Most common IAC reversal is for exactly that reason where the Defense Attorney fails to investigate his client’s background. If IAC is further found at Trial Court level through Habeas Corpus hearing then his conviction will be set aside and he’ll have to be re-tried. This was a loss for the Government."

I included screenshots of two previous posts. 

I am not linking all my posts on this 2022 case. You can access them for free via the search feature on the blog or pay for a subscription or contribute for convenience. Advertisers get more benefits and can contact me anytime.

Judge Canning holds Daryl Jones to answer 31 out of 35 counts

 

(Judge Timothy Canning: photo John Chiv)

(Jones and his attorney Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney O'Connell: photo by John Chiv)

(Deputy DA Roger Rees: photo by John Chiv)

Closing arguments and a ruling by Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Presiding Judge Timothy Canning terroristic and criminal threat suspect  Daryl Jones' case was continued to this morning by defense.

I did detailed coverage of the preliminary hearing which was done over several days. Anyone who read the detailed preliminary hearing coverage has an idea of the basic arguments by prosecution and defense.

"Based on evidence Court heard," over several days of preliminary hearing, "we are asking to hold defendant as charged."

Jones has two cases; CR2500921 and CR2500835.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees went over each count and what he was asking in a holding order with some clarifications. 

Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell submitted on certain counts and then made her arguments regarding other counts.

In rebuttal, Mr. Rees said, "Calls ceased when Mr. Jones was in custody."

There are 35 counts. Some counts Jones was held to answer to PC 422 criminal threats; others as attempted criminal threats. Arraignment on information is March 24.

Jones was held to answer to all counts except Count 17, Count 22, Count 23 and Count 26. Not held to answer to two counts in CR2500921 but Judge Canning stated on record why people can proceed to file for jury trial on those two counts and some of the counts that he was not held to answer in CR2500835. The two counts in CR2500921 have the same alleged victim as another count in CR2500835.

Jones should try and work out a plea with the DA's office before he is arraigned assuming the People are willing to consider that possibility.

A reminder for new readers that Jones cannot post bail.

12:49 p.m: Court minutes are in the system and I just added them. You can see my live coverage right after the hearing had the same information.

Once again, LOCO's Dezmond Remington is not only lazy with more than "30 of the counts" but incorrect with 32 counts. I guess itis hard to count when you are bored out of your mind and yawning for most of the hearing.

Times Standard and KRCR were also at the hearing. KRCR made the same mistake as LOCO with 32 counts. TS' headline is correct about 31 however, the way the article is written it is confusing and not accurate. There was only the preliminary hearing for one case with 35 counts; Jones was held to 31 counts. Mentioning the two counts for the other case just muddled the waters but it isn't completely inaccurate like LOCO and KRCR.

Jurors in Destinee Rhamy's case not deliberating for a day and a half

 

The jurors in Destinee Rhamy's homicide case for the death of Holland Renee Elbik started their deliberations on 3/6/26 at 1:51 p.m. They asked for readback of Lauren Lukens and Zachary Hood's testimony.

Shortly after 3 p.m., they got coffee in the deliberation room and I saw the Courtroom 5 bailiff take headphones.

On 3/9, jury went into deliberations around 9:30. Court reporter Lori Rock headed to the jury room at 9:41 p.m. for readback. Saw the court reporter head back to her office at 11 a.m. Jurors left for lunch at 12:05 p.m. Came back and resumed deliberations at 1:30 p.m.

This break has to do with a juror who had a medical appointment and rather than pick an alternate and restart deliberations; this was the decision.

Rhamy is charged in Count 1 with PC 192 (a) voluntary manslaughter. Count 1 special allegation is PC 12022 (b) (1) use of a deadly weapon; a knife. Count 2 is PC 245 (a) (1) assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm. Count 2 special allegation PC 12022.7 (a) infliction of  great bodily injury.

Jurors' verdict form included lesser charge for the Count 2 assault charge.

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran presided over the trial. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Rhamy's attorney.

First Mitsubishi, now Yamaha says sayonara to CA and relocates to the East Coast

After 50 years, Yamaha says sayonara to California and will relocate to Georgia starting in 2026 with the move complete by 2028. In 2019, Mitsubishi Motors left California for Tennessee.

County of Humboldt files motion to dismiss federal lawsuit filed by Ray Christie

 

(Larson LLP)

On December 2, 2025, I reported in Ray Christie's federal lawsuit against the County of Humboldt, former HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes, former Humboldt Deputy DA Adrian Kamada, Sheriff Honsal. I did another post on December 8 and then on December 16. When I did that last post, Humboldt Deputy County Counsel Joel Campbell-Blair was representing three of the four defendants.

Larson LLP partner, Mr. Rick Richmond, is representing Christie. The case has been assigned to Judge Noel Wise at the San Jose location. 

There was a hearing scheduled today about Alternative Dispute Resolution according to PACER. A hearing on 6/3/26 is scheduled for the County of Humboldt's motion to dismiss. That information online is not always up to date. 

I have the County of Humboldt's motion to dismiss. Don't know yet if I will add it or wait until Mr. Richmond files a response. There is a lot of news happening right now that is more timely. Some attorneys are better at writing motions and being clear. The County's 15 page motion fails with both criteria. Between incredulity and laughter, getting through the motion this evening was impossible.

I reported in June 2020 that former Deputy DA Adrian Kamada was no longer employed by the Humboldt County DA. I could not get former DA Maggie Fleming to confirm what is stated in the County's motion on p. 3 that Kamada was "allegedly fired from the District Attorney’s Office in 2020 for “violating office policy and procedure.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/06/adrian-kamada-gone-from-d-as-office.html?m=1

Kamada is claiming absolute prosecutorial immunity.

Readers who have followed my blog for years know I often report in real time information no one else has or covers about the Courthouse and the most obvious example was my coverage of Gregory Kreis corroborated later by the Commission on Judicial Performance.

I covered Christie's 2018 criminal case regularly and reported a lot of information so I can evaluate the County's motion on my own.

Locals are familiar with Christie, the 2018 case, the other cases only I have covered as well as this case. I have provided links to previous coverage for new, regional and national readers. 

For those who prefer cliff notes, this is the first paragraph from Larson LLP on the lawsuit.

"Law firm Larson LLP announced today it has sued Humboldt County and three officials in San Francisco federal court on behalf of a northern California cattle rancher, alleging they violated his civil rights when they raided his home and properties, improperly tampered with evidence, and pursued criminal charges against him that were later dismissed but that continue to harm his reputation and ability to conduct business."

Deliberate editorial choice or do other local media not know Eureka City Councilmembers?

 

(Took this screenshot at 12:04 p.m. today)

I find it hard to believe that not a single regular commenter on RHBB noticed the resemblance between local artist Kati Texas and Eureka City Councilmember Kati Moulton. This is the same person.

 

I know some of those usernames and they chose silence. Does Ryan Hutson not know Councilmember Moulton? Same question for Kym Kemp.

I had quite a few people ask me this question. Deliberate editorial choice or do local media not know Eureka City Councilmembers?

Councilmember Moulton is free to do what she wants during her free time but RHBB and Ryan chose to report on Humboldt Deputy DA Roger Rees who is open about supporting President Trump and being Republican. He was exercising his Free Amendment rights on his own time. Councilmember Moulton is definitively not conservative.

If other local media do not want to be called out on their errors; stop making them and stop misleading the public by leaving relevant facts out. And I don't care what the other media or their groupies think. My job is difficult daily because of this kind of bs. 

KINS gets funded and they stroke egos. They do not represent or speak for the average conservative and moderate. 

The conservatives with money in this town could not even come up with one candidate for 4th or 5th District Supervisor.

Another error by Ryan is about Cal Poly protestor Richard Toledo's bond. The bail is $25,000. He owes the bail bond company $2,500 not $2,000 as reported by Ryan and RHBB. I also posted the court date Toledo was given which is in my post from yesterday. That could change and I will do an update.