Former Humboldt County Deputy Public Defender Rory Kalin loses his appeal in his Humboldt Superior Court case against Public Defender's Office

 

Rory Kalin's appeal in his Humboldt Superior Court against the Humboldt County Public Defender's Office, current Humboldt County Public Defender Luke Brownfield, former Public Defender Marek Reavis and Gregory Kreis just had the following notifications.

Kalin already settled with Kreis. He was appealing Mendocino Superior Court's ruling and denial of the motion for a new trial against the others.

I am not adding 27 pages of the tentative opinion later. You can check it yourself online. I have added some relevant pages. I did too many posts over the years to link all of them. You can access prior coverage via the search feature on the blog.

"This feels like groundhog day"

 

(Judge Graf and Mr. Novak)

(Mr. Ballard)

(Robinson with his defense team)

**Photos from today court hearing in the Tyler Robinson case courtesy Salt Lake Tribune.**

Today, oral arguments and the evidentiary hearing continued in murder suspect Tyler Robinson's hearing.

Utah's KUTV has been assigned to have a camera and is broadcasting the hearing via livestream. Salt Lake Tribune is the pool for still photography. I will add photos when I receive them.

In addition to defense asking disqualify the Utah County Prosecutor's Office, constant attempts to limit and deny media access; now defense.

Utah Fourth District Judge Tony Graf  denied Tyler Robinson's defense team request to disqualify the Utah County Attorney's office.

Judge Graf is proceeding with the continuation of evidentiary hearing & will issue a ruling via Webex. 

Status of discovery & Mrs. Erika Kirk's filing was briefly addressed. Judge Graf laid out timelines of how Court will proceed and time for arguments today.

Once again, the defense whined. The video camera had already been moved to the rear of the courtroom. Defense request to move the still photographer was granted but not to the location requested by defense and Judge Graf reiterated no violation.

Utah County Attorney General Counsel and Chief of Staff, Mr. Christopher Ballard's remark, "This feels like groundhog day" sums up yet another Tyler Robinson hearing & the same defense tactics

I will add a few more details later.

I have linked every post of the arrest and every court hearing and often have information and court documents not provided in other coverage. After today, I will not be linking previous posts.

Attempted murder suspect Shawn Kolpak already had an assault case filed last September; was granted supervised release by Judge Wilson

51 year old Shawn Kolpak arrested by APD on January 31 for attempted murder. He was also booked for PC 245(a)(4) assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, PC 12022.7(a) great bodily injury enhancement and PC 12022(b)(1) committing a felony while out on bail or OR.

When I checked this morning to see if charges had been filed for his January 31 arrest, I saw that he had a case filed 9/23/25 with a couple of similar charges. He is represented by the Humboldt County Public Defender in that case was granted supervised release in that case by Retired Humboldt Superior Court Judge Christopher Wilson, waived preliminary hearing and has a jury trial scheduled for April.

I am covering the Tyler Robinson hearing now which could take all afternoon and I have several court cases scheduled today to follow up on court documents and more details will be added later when I have time. When depends on how busy I am today.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/51-year-old-shawn-kolpak-arrested-by.html?m=1

Nicole Bartlett arrested by EPD for willful child abuse and endangerment

Nicole Marie Bartlett was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday for two counts of PC 273 (a) (a) willful child endangerment and two counts of PC 273 (d) (a) wilfull physical child abuse resulting in an injury.

The Facebook profile photo, as in many cases does not resemble the booking photo.

Convicted molestor Jonathan Marcks should have never been given a plea and sentenced to probation for domestic violence; he was arrested yesterday for probation violation

 

Convicted molestor should never have been sentenced to probation by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum when he entered a plea last year to domestic violence.

Yesterday, Humboldt County Probation arrested and booked Marcks into jail for PC 1203.2(a)(1) for probation violation.

This is Humboldt County and there are zero consequences for probation violation and repeat offenders.

Junwei Guo charged in a federal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during NFL game

A San Francisco man was charged in a federal criminal complaint for flying a drone within restricted airspace surrounding Levi’s Stadium during a National Football League (NFL) game in violation of a temporary flight restriction (TFR) imposed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

DOJ sues CA to revoke naturalization of convicted sex offender who abused his own minor daughter

 

The Department of Justice is suing California to revoke naturalization of convicted sex offender. One of the minor victims in his guilty plea is his own daughter.

**I have included some court documents which describe sexual crimes involving minors. If you choose to read beyond this point, it is your choice. **

More judicial appointments from Newsom, Humboldt still MIA

(Photo: John Chiv)

Still waiting for that temporary appointment to Humboldt Superior Court Courtroom 6 vacancy. This time, the Press Office has not responded to my email. They made the choice to say this will not be on the June 2026 ballot and they have yet to make an appointment over a year. In the meantime, taxpayers are paying for Visiting Judges.

Governor Gavin Newsom's office knew former Humboldt Judge was retiring. It has been a year.

EPD releases more details about Gary Beckett and Joseph Hough's arrests during this weekend's protest

 

Eureka Police Department just issued a press release about two arrests on January 30 and 31 during local protests at the Courthouse. I already reported about Gary Beckett's arrest.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/gary-beckett-arrested-by-epd-yesterday.html?m=1

The other suspect arrested was Joseph Hough.

Same apartment on Sonoma street targeted twice, EPD releases details

Same apartment on Sonoma street  targeted twice. EPD just issued a press release with details. I noticed either the day or date is incorrect & let EPD know. Will edit once I hearback. I am guessing since it isn't 8 p.m. yet, the day was Sunday. EPD confirmed it was Sunday.

Greogory Bovino sent back to CA, body cameras in Minneapolis and expansion nationwide to DHS officers

Greogory Bovino sent back to CA, body cameras in Minneapolis and expansion nationwide. The protests did make a difference & Tom Homan is cleaning up Bovino's mess that resulted in two deaths.

This press release has been delayed due to City of Eureka glitch, Humboldt retrogade or Gmail

(Photos: Humboldt Bay Fire)

Don't know if it is City of Eureka glitch, Humboldt retrogade or Gmail but this is the second press release list in the last few days that I did not receive. The one from State of California made it through but the Humboldt Bay Fire press release on 833 H street did not so I had to call HBF. 

HBF explained the previous email did not go through successfully and resent it to me.

On Friday, the entire courtroom clapped when Humboldt Deputy Conflict Counsel RJ Leohner spoke about taking the day off to go stand with protestors

 

On Friday morning, Humboldt Deputy Conflict Counsel RJ Leohner appeared on the 8:30 calendar. He then spoke what some attorneys at the Courthouse, including Deputy DAs, described as a "moving speech" and a "beautiful speech" why he would not be available the rest of the day.

Mr. Leohner felt it was important for him to take the day off from work. I heard his colleagues, including Deputy Conflict Counsel David Nims talking about the preliminary hearings scheduled that day in his cases.

Most of the other media does not know the attorneys or staff at the Courthouse. I have seen staff from the courts during  protests against the Trump administration. It was on a weekend when they were not working.

A certain media outlet has repeatedly published targeted attacks from one individual against Deputy DA Roger Rees. Mr. Rees was out there on Fridays during lunnch and after work on Fridays which he has a right to do on his own time. 

I spoke with Mr. Leohner this morning and asked if he wished to comment. As I expected, he did not have anything to add.

These are challenging times for our country and in a small County, however there are some people more recognizable and identifiable. Most people do not even know who many local reporters are despite them being here for decades.

24 hours later, not only have legacy media not reported on the two agents who allegedly shot at Alex Pretti but the local media didn't report it either.

When it comes to taking risks and standing up for the First Amendment or any constitutional right, actions matter more than words. Those without resources and money and high priced lawyers; whether they are protestors or journalists are taking risks for the rights of others.

Adan Luna arrested for criminal threats, elder abuse, robbery, burglary and vandalism

 

Adan Amado Luna arrested yesterday by Eureka Police Department on a Ramey warrant and booked for PC 211 robbery, PC 368 (b) (1) elder abuse, PC 459/461 (a), PC 422 criminal threats and PC 594 (b) (2) (a) vandalism.

Danielle Durand has a new attorney; preliminary hearing continued to next month

Robbery suspect Danielle Durand and murder suspect Deunn Willis' preliminary hearing scheduled for 2/3/26 has been vacated.

On 1/29/26, Mr. Ken Bareilles appeared for Ms. Joanne Carter who is taking over Durand's case from Mr. Michael Robinson. She needs to file a substitution of attorney. On Ms. Carter's bealf, Mr. Bareilles requested a continuance of the preliminary hearing and motion to compel discovery which is scheduled for 3/3/26.

Preliminary hearing for co-defendant Willis who is represented by Gregory Kreis was continued to the same day.

You can use the search feature on the blog to access previous coverage on Durand and Willis.

Pro Publica publishes names of two agents they claim shot Alex Pretti without any records to corroborate

Two hours ago, Pro Publica posted the names they claim are the two agents who allegedly shot at Alex Pretti. 

"The two federal immigration agents who fired on Minneapolis protester Alex Pretti are identified in government records as Border Patrol agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection officer Raymundo Gutierrez." --Pro Publica 

A spokesperson for DHS declined to answer questions about the two agents and referred ProPublica to the FBI. The FBI declined to comment. ProPublica made several attempts to call Ochoa and Gutierrez but neither answered."--Pro Publica

No one else except Fox9 Minneapolis-St. Paul has published this claim by Pro Publica. No other media has published this information. Other than some individuals on X, don't see any comment from elected officials or law enforcement.

The records Pro Publica reviewed have not been shared in the article.

It is Monday morning, only a few media outlets but still crickets from legacy media, elected officials and the Trump administration.

Indecent exposure suspect Kevin Astry failed to appear in court, defense claimed he is having a mental health breakdown, defense request for doubt denied until Astry shows up in court, bench warrant issued for $60,000 and held until next week

On December 9, indecent exposure suspect Kevin Astry was arrested by HCSO near Pine Hill elementary.

The DA charged him with PC 69 obstruct/resist executive officer; PC 243 (c) (2) battery with injury on a peace officer and PC  314 (1) indecent exposure. Alleged victim for Count 1 and 2 is HCSO Deputy Tristan Smith.

Astry's bail was $60,000. He was granted supervised release. On 1/30/26, Astry failed to appear for his preliminary hearing. Deputy Public Defender Adrian Kamada said Astry is currently having a mental health breakdown and has an appointment with a mental health provider on 2/11/26.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer requested a bench warrant be issued. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb granted that request; it is for $60,000 but will be held until 2/4 which is the next court date. 

Defense request to declare doubt regarding competency was denied by Judge Cockrum until Astry appears in court.

Attorney for State of CA only one present at court hearing, Judge Canning grants the motion in eminent domain lawsuit

There was a hearing on 1/30/26 on the State of California motion for order of possession inPeople of State of California vs Raymond Christie, Jennifer Christie et al.

The motion was granted by Humboldt Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning because the only attorney who appeared was for the state. No one there for PG & E or any of the defendants.

There is a case management on 2/23/26 and a hearing on 4/3/26 on the order granting possession against occupants.

Unless there is something significant to report, this will be my last post on this eminent domain case. The two screenshots of the last two posts should get new readers caught up on this lawsuit.