Youravish did not even stand. He sat, dressed in a red jumpsuit, which means he is in administrative segregation.
I was the only media in court along with five of the victim's family members, one female juror, Victim Witness Marybeth Bian, the bailiff, Judge Feeney and the attorneys.
Three family members spoke and their statements were so powerful that all of us in the courtroom were moved, except Youravish who just sat there with no emotion.
All of them thanked Judge Feeney, Mr. Curtis and all involved in bringing justice for their loved one. They all expressed that while nothing could bring Forrest back that the rest of society deserved to be protected from Youravish.
Through his attorney, Youravish asked that the restitution fine of $10,000 be reduced to $5,000. Judge Feeney declined that request. Youravish will pay that fine, another fine of $829 to Youravish's biological mother, administrative fines of $40 and $30. He was given credit for 896 days that he served in the Humboldt County jail towards his life sentence.
Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis prosecuted the case. Public Defender Owen Tipps represented Youravish.
Last post:
Michael Youravish was convicted on November 3 of first degree murder with a special allegation of killing while lying in wait.
Verdict came in at 4:05, no other media in court.
A jury of 7 women and five men found Youravish guilty of murder in the first degree PC 187 (a)and special allegation of intentionally killing the victim while "lying in wait, PC 190.2 (a) (15).
Sentencing is on December 1 at 4 p.m.
DA Press Release:
Today a jury convicted Michael Youravish of first degree murder with the special allegation of lying in wait. Youravish, 21 years old of Eureka, murdered 33 year old Forrest Lovejoy in McKinleyville on June 17, 2013. The cause of death was multiple stab wounds. The case was investigated by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis prosecuted the case with the assistance of District Attorney Investigators Marvin Kirkpatrick and Wayne Cox and Victim Advocate Marybeth Bian. The defendant will return for sentencing on December 1, 2015 before Judge John Feeney. The defendant is facing life without the possibility of parole.
Nov 2, 2015
Will Michael Youravish get life without parole for the killing of Forrest Croft Lovejoy?
I asked the District Attorney's office about the jury trial for Michael Youravish with the special allegation of "killing while lying in wait" and the information circulating that he had already plead guilty to the murder is incorrect.
Deputy District Zachary Curtis responded, "A first degree murder conviction would give a sentence of 25 – life. The special allegation would make the sentence life without parole. I think more importantly, though, justice sometimes demands that we not be willing to drop a count or an allegation and have the final outcome of the case reflect those facts that a jury can say that we were able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Our task in the DA’s office is not to get convictions, but to see that justice is done - and we are willing to go to great lengths to do exactly that."
The jury is currently in deliberations for this case.
Deputy District Zachary Curtis responded, "A first degree murder conviction would give a sentence of 25 – life. The special allegation would make the sentence life without parole. I think more importantly, though, justice sometimes demands that we not be willing to drop a count or an allegation and have the final outcome of the case reflect those facts that a jury can say that we were able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Our task in the DA’s office is not to get convictions, but to see that justice is done - and we are willing to go to great lengths to do exactly that."
The jury is currently in deliberations for this case.
Oct 23, 2015
Jury trial starts for Eureka man charged with "willful, deliberate, premeditated" murder of Mckinleyville man in 2013
Jury selection is currently going on in Courtroom 1 for Michael Youravish, a Eureka man was arrested in 2013 for the "willful, deliberate and premeditate" murder of Forrest Croft Lovejoy. There is also a special allegation of "killing while lying in wait."
The murder allegedly occurred in the "Baldy area" of Mckinleyville. The death penalty had been considered for the case. District Attorney Maggie Fleming confirmed that the death penalty is not being sought in this case. Youravish has already plead guilty to the murder charge but the District Attorney's office amended the complaint to add the special allegation.
Judge John Feeney is the trial judge. Deputy Zachary Curtis is prosecuting the case. Public Defender Owen Tipps is representing
Youravish.
The murder allegedly occurred in the "Baldy area" of Mckinleyville. The death penalty had been considered for the case. District Attorney Maggie Fleming confirmed that the death penalty is not being sought in this case. Youravish has already plead guilty to the murder charge but the District Attorney's office amended the complaint to add the special allegation.
Judge John Feeney is the trial judge. Deputy Zachary Curtis is prosecuting the case. Public Defender Owen Tipps is representing
Youravish.
Youravish Sentenced to Life in Prison without Parole
Office of the District Attorney - Maggie Fleming, District Attorney
News Release
December 2, 2015
December 2, 2015
On June 17, 2013, Michael Raymond Youravish lured Forrest Croft Lovejoy into the woods in McKinleyville and stabbed him to death, inflicting over 30 stab wounds. Mr. Youravish was subsequently arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
On November 3, 2015, a Humboldt County jury returned guilty verdicts against Michael Raymond Youravish for first-degree murder committed intentionally by means of lying in wait.
On December 1, 2015, Mr. Youravish was sentenced by the Honorable John Feeney to the maximum term of life in State Prison without possibility of parole. Mr. Lovejoy’s birth-mother, step-mother and step-father made statements at the sentencing. They thanked the court, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and its investigators and the District Attorney’s Office. They described Forrest as a trusting, fun-loving man with a goofy sense of humor who was well loved by his family. Mr. Youravish declined to comment.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Zachary Curtis.
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