Motions heard in Adam Laird Case and trial date to be postponed

One of four motions in the Adam Laird case was heard by Judge Marilyn Miles this afternoon. The other 3 have been continued until December 20. Judge Miles heard and went over each item in the first motion which was to compel certain discovery. Both Laird's attorney Patrik Griego and Roger Rees from the Humboldt County District Attorney's office were questioned by Judge Miles before she ruled on each item.

This phase is just trial prep for the case. For previous hearing, Thad Greenson from the Times-Standard was present. He was not there this afternoon. Allie Norton from KIEM =-TV was there but left early.

Laird was arrested April 17 and charged with committing assault under the color of authority and knowingly making a false statement in a police report and using excessive force. In a motion filed with the court, Griego argued that this was the first case in recent memory referred to the Humboldt County D.A's office and that other cases were handled internally. Part of Griego's selective prosecution theory also alleges that Laird is being targeted by the EPD for his political views and support.

Until the trial starts, if anyone in the public is interested in the minutiae of how the legal system works, it is worthwhile to attend these pre-trial hearings. I am attending because I want information for myself and to give some general reporting  on this case. People locally have very strong feelings about the EPD, current Eureka City Council and Laird's supporters are Larry Glass and Garr Nielsen. Glass has been present at all hearings.

One of the three motions continued was a motion to dismiss. Judge Miles denied some items, asked for some items to be modified and resubmitted. On some items, Judge Miles told Griego what he was was asking for was "too broad, vague and onerous." It wasn't a win for one side or the other. To be fair, you can't report on such a hearing. You have to be there.A summary would not be a fair representation of why Judge Miles made her decisions.