"Sohum carries a lot of burdens and this one we cannot handle"

Fifty plus community members drove up from Southern Humboldt to speak against the proposed placement of convicted sexually violent predator Joshua Cooley at 2863 Alderpoint Road.

Gina Paine was the first speaker. Her 12 year old daughter uses a bus stop near the Alderpoint property every day. "This is not a good placement for Sohum," said Gina Paine. She added it was not a good placement for Cooley either. "Sohum carries a lot of burdens and this one we cannot handle."

"There's no way to protect him down there, " said Ernie Branscomb. "There's no way to protect the people from him."

"Who is paying rent for this cat living out there. I am sure there is a place to put this cat where he can be watched?," said David Adragna. "If he does something down there, we will take the law into our own hands."



"It is frustrating that this person is being placed somewhere, let alone in society" said Kelly Paine. "

Andrea Boldt provided photos surrounding the property.

Except for Adragna who recently moved to Humboldt, everyone who who spoke against the proposed placement is a lifelong resident and either a business owner or involved comminity member.

Children in close proximity to the Garberville property, response time by law enforcement, lack of reliable internet coverage was mentioned by the five speakers.

Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Ms.Meagan O'Connell in her remarks said that Cooley was no longer considered a SVP.

Cooley's grandparents Joshua B. Herrera and Shirley Herrera,were at the hearing. Mrs. Herrera dissed the DA and HCSO for "inciting fear." They said "Joshua has paid his debt to society." Also they said Cooley was not a rapist because he was convicted of lewd and lascivious act with a child.

This link provides details of Cooley's deviancy. This is what Cooley's grandparents want to gloss over.

https://www.fearnotlaw.com/wsnkb/articles/p-v-cooley-43996.html

Earlier post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/judge-feeney-denies-sohum-placement-for.html?m=1