Jun 19, 2015

Suspect who attacked Bayshore Mall employee sent to Department of Corrections for 90 days for evaluation before final decision on her sentencing

No other media has been present in court when Judge Timothy Cissna ordered that Cayla Tatum be sent to the Department of Corrections for 90 days for a "diagnostic evaluation" according to PC 1203.03.

After reading the Probation report, the Victim impact statement and letters of support on behalf of Tatum, Judge Cissna said in court today "I have been vacilating between imposing sentence and referring her to a diagnostic evaluation."

His tentative decision was "to get more information before making a final decision."

The victim was also present in court today, as she was last time with her mom and dad. DDA Stacey Eads spoke with the victim and explained what was going on.

Mr. Luke Brownfield, from the Public Defender's Office represents Tatum. DDA  Eads told Judge Cissna "the People are seeking a prison commitment."

On June 29, at 2 p.m. the People will have a ommitment order prepared and filed for the Judge to sign to send Tatum for the diagnostic evaluation.


1203.03.  (a) In any case in which a defendant is convicted of an
offense punishable by imprisonment in the state prison, the court, if
it concludes that a just disposition of the case requires such
diagnosis and treatment services as can be provided at a diagnostic
facility of the Department of Corrections, may order that defendant
be placed temporarily in such facility for a period not to exceed 90
days, with the further provision in such order that the Director of
the Department of Corrections report to the court his diagnosis and
recommendations concerning the defendant within the 90-day period.




Jun 12, 2015


Woman who attacked employee at Bayshore Mall sentencing continued until next Friday

Cayla Tatum who attacked the Famous Footwear employee at the Bayshore Mall was scheduled to be sentenced today.

The case was prosecuted by DDA Stacey Eads. Tatum was represented by Mr. Luke Brownfield of the Public Defender's office.

Sentencing continued until next Friday because Judge Cissna who took the plea was not in today and,Judge Miles was calling his calendar as well. The continuance was actually a suggestion by Judge Cissna to both attorneys.

Victim and family members were in court. They spoke with Ms. Eads twice and there were letters submitted by them and their supporters.

A couple, possibly friends of Tatum were in court to support her.

Judge Miles made a reference to probation recommending some kind of evaluation for mental health.


May 18, 2015

Bayshore Mall attacker pleads guilty, faces potentially 8 plus years in prison


Defendant Cayla Tatum pled guilty today to four felony charges arising from her February 23rd knife attack upon Famous Footwear employee, Tuesday Kay at the Bayshore Mall.  Tatum pled guilty to two counts of felonious assault and two counts of second degree commercial burglary.  Tatum also pled guilty to resisting arrest in June 2014 and violating her deferred entry of judgment in an unrelated case in which she pled guilty to misdemeanor child abuse on May 21, 2013.

The Honorable Timothy P. Cissna is scheduled to sentence Tatum in each of her cases on June 12, 2015 at 2 P.M.   Tatum faces a potential two years in jail for her misdemeanor crimes and six years and four months in prison for her felony crimes. 

Feb 24, 2015


Woman admits to stabbing mall employee

On 02/23/15 at about 7:15 p.m., Officers with the Eureka Police Department were dispatched to the Bayshore Mall after a woman called 911 reporting that someone was attempting to stab her.  Upon arrival, officers located a mall employee that had been stabbed in the arm.

The suspect, Cayla Tatum (26) of Eureka, had been pepper sprayed and detained by mall security and an off-duty police officer prior to officer’s arrival.  Tatum admitted to stabbing the victim.  Based on witness statements, Tatum attacked the victim without any provocation and chased her from one store to another where she cornered and stabbed her.

The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital for treatment for non-life threatening injuries.  Tatum was transported to the hospital for medical clearance prior to being booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for assault with a deadly weapon.

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