John Chiv: Former Hoopa softball coach William Jarnaghan sentenced to 365 days in jail, 3 years probation and a protective order

Apr 25, 2016

Former Hoopa softball coach William Jarnaghan sentenced to 365 days in jail, 3 years probation and a protective order

Last Monday, sentencing for former Hoopa softball coach, William Jarnaghan, was continued for a week. Eight people including the victim and the victim's family showed up for the sentencing.

There were 7 people to suppport Jarnaghan. The atmosphere in the courtroom was awkward, tense at times. Each family sat at opposite sides of the courtroom.

Once the verdict was announced, the victim and her family silently left the courtroom with Deputy District Attorney Brie Bennett and Victim Witness advocates.

A couple of the Jarnaghan family members, youth, were crying.

Judge Joyce Hinrichs announced her tentative decision after reviewing probation reports, letters from both sides , including letters from both attorneys and assessment report evaluating the defendant.

A promise of probation was part of the negotiated plea deal which took months. Judge Hinrichs used her discretion and followed probation's recommendation and sentenced Jarnaghan to 365 days in the Humboldt County jail, three years of supervised probation and he was served with a protective order in court.

Judge Hinrichs gave Jarnaghan the option of a surrender date or remand. He agreed to go to jail today and at the request of his attorney, Mr. Neal Sanders, instead of being cuffed and taken into custody in court, Jarnaghan has to turn himself in to be booked by 9 p.m. tonight.

Jarnaghan had a total of 14 days credit, 7 actual days in jail; 7 days time for good behavior.

Mervin George, Sr, Jane Doe's grandfather spoke ob behalf of the family. Looking at Jarnaghan and his family, he said, ""I trusted you with my granddaughter. I raised her since she was three years old. I didn't raise her to be preyed on. This family is a Christian family. She was 15, he was 40. His family blames her for this; shame on you!"

On March 11 during trial assignment, former Hoopa softball coach William Jarnaghan's jury trial was vacated since a resolution was reached late yesterday.

The offer was made by the defense and victim's family was notified yesterday at 4:30 p.m.

Feb 9, 2016

Defense motion to continue former Hoopa softball coach's jury trial granted despite People's and victim's oppositions

A motion filed by former Hoopa softball coach William Jarnaghan's attorney, Mr. Neal Sanders, to continue the jury trial scheduled for February 16 was granted this afternoon by Judge Joyce Hinrichs.

Jarnaghan was not in court. Mr. Sanders said he was present in the hallway and waived his appearance in court for today's hearing.

Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads, who was present in court today for her CAST colleague, Ms. Brie Bennett said, "People are opposed. People are prepared to proceed to trial. The victim is a minor who resides in the community of which Mr. Jarnaghan also is part of and is having a difficult time. This is prolonging the victim's suffering. The victim has a constitutional right to a speedy jury trial."

Mr. Sanders countered with, "I was led to believe that this was resolved until the last hearing. The powers to be rejected the original disposition. My client has a constitutional right to effective counsel."

Ms. Eads said that the offer that was made to Jarnaghan was made early in the case. He chose to reject that offer. That offer was no longer available and the defendant decided to consider it " months later down the road."

New jury trial date is March 14 at 8:30 a.m, Trial assignment is on March 11 at 8:30 a.m. and Trial Confirmation is on March 1 at 2 p.m.

Jan 20, 2016

Jury trial confirmed for former Hoopa softball coach William Jarnaghan

There was a pre trial hearing scheduled yesterday afternoon for William Jarnaghan.
Visiting Judge Stephen L. Mock subbed in for Judge Joyce Hinrichs. Dates were confirmed.

Oct 29, 2015

Resolution before jury trial may happen in case for former Hoopa softball coach charged with alleged sexual charges involving former student

This afternoon, trial setting for former Hoopa softball coach, William Jarnaghan, was scheduled in Courtroom 5.

Deputy District Attorney Brie Bennett is prosecuting the case. Mr. Neal Sanders is representing Jarnaghan. DDA Jackie Pizzo subbed in for her colleague this afternoon.

Mr. Sanders said, "We are trying to see if we can get a resolution on the case. We were hoping for that today. The family needs to decide what kind of disposition they want."

Since it is a time waived case, jury trial was set for February 16 at 8:30, Trial confirmation for February 2 at 2 p.m and pre trial on December 15 at 2 p.m.

DDA Jackie Pizzo said, "My only concern about setting it in February is that I haven't spoken with the victims."

Judge Hinrichs said that while she realizes that under Marcy's law, victims are entitled to speedy resolution, this is a time waived case and "we are trying to set realistic time frames" of when cases will proceed.

Oct 14, 2015

William Jarnaghan enters not guilty pleas at arraignment for alleged sexual charges against minor victim

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