James Merrick could not afford private attorney; cannot bail out due to probation hold

James Merrick's arraignment was continued from Friday afternoon to today in Courtroom 2.

Conflict Counsel appointed. Mr. David Lee was present with Merrick for the arraignment.

Intervention on December 29. Preliminary hearing January 3.

Dec 16, 2016

James Merrick charged with murder, hit and run and two DUI charges causing injury to teenage pedestrian

James Merrick is scheduled to be arraigned today at 4 p.m. The complaint by the DA charges Merrick with Count 1 Murder, Count 2 DUI while causing injury; Count 3 DUI with blood alcohol over 0.08% and Count 4 Hit and Run resulting in great bodily injury or death,

Bail is million dollars. Merrick said he is hiring a private attorney; arraignment continued to 12/19 in the afternoon.

Press Release:

On the evening of Wednesday, December 14th, one  female teenage pedestrian sustained fatal injuries after being struck by a passing vehicle.

At approximately 8:07 p.m., James Arthur Merrick , of McKinleyville, was turning his 2000 Dodge Ram 1500 from eastbound Anna Sparks Way onto northbound Central Avenue.  The juvenile pedestrian was walking northbound on the east shoulder of Central Avenue, north of Anna Sparks Way.  For reasons still under investigation  Mr. Merrick allowed his vehicle to drive off the roadway and onto the east shoulder of Central Avenue striking the juvenile pedestrian.  The vehicle continued eastbound on the shoulder until it collided into a light pole.  

Merrick attempted to flee the scene of the collision but was detained by several witnesses until Law Enforcement arrived on scene.  The juvenile pedestrian was transported to Mad River Community Hospital where she later succumbed to her injuries.

Merrick was placed under arrest and alcohol is believed to be a contributing factor in this traffic collision.  The California Highway Patrol-Humboldt Area responded to the scene and is conducting the investigation. 

This is the information about James Merrick on Megan's law.


Megan's law, California site:

Known Aliases MERRICK II, JAMES ARTHUR Description Sex: MALE Height: 5'10 Weight: 150 Eye Color: BROWN Hair Color: RED/AUBURN Ethnicity: WHITE Offenses Offense Code: 290(a)(2)(D) Description: PRIOR CODE: REQUIRED TO REGISTER BASED ON A NON-CALIFORNIA SEX OFFENSE Year of Last Conviction: Year of Last Release:

The Department of Justice has no information about a subsequent felony incarceration for this registrant