May 31, 2019

Florida man shoots a woman with a gun during foreplay



A Valrico man is facing charges after accidentally shooting a woman.  Around 12:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, Andrew Shinault, 23, shot a woman, who is also in her 20s, while engaging in an act of foreplay involving his registered hand gun.

On Day 2, misdemeanor jury trial dismissed because alleged offense took place in Del Norte County


On Day 2 of a jury trial today in Courtroom Two in Humboldt Superior Court, the case was dismissed.

One alternate juror hasn't left, he is waiting while the jury deliberates Seng Yang's fate


Concluding instructions were given at 2:25 p.m. Jury was sworn in at 2:35 p.m. They did not take a break and started deliberating.
Some paperwork was taken in around 2:45 p.m.

"The charges are rape because it was rape."



Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads gave a brief rebuttal.  "I also have Jane Doe's transcript from the hours and hours she testified in Court."

Defense asked for a not guilty verdict on Counts 1-13 in Seng Yang case



Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield said the People have not proven their case beyond a reasonable doubt. He said that the prosecution had not met the burden that "Jane Doe did not consent."

Several times he brought up separating emotions from facts.

"He sees himself as the victim. It is all about him."


After thanking the jurors for their time, attention, service, Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads started her closing argument. She will continue after lunch.

Very effectively recapping the case, using Jane Doe's testimony, photos, references to the videos, Seng Yang's own words during the EPD interview Ms. Eads used the evidence accentuated by powerful words to make her case reminding the jurors that these charges was Jane Doe's dad.

Seng Yang argues with his attorney in front of jurors and requests a Marsden motion


Closing arguments seemed ready to.proceed in Seng Yang's case. The People's power presentation was on screen.

Yang argued with his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield and tried again to speak in court. Yang said "Sir" and Judge John Feeney said," You know you have to speak through Mr. Brownfield."

APD detained one person at 115 Samoa Boulevard


"APD has one detained at 115 Samoa Boulevard. Disturbance call. Someone possibly armed with a knife. The area is safe. Incident under investigation."

May 30, 2019

Missing Colorado woman's remains found in Malibu



Later today, a family member positively identified the remains.

Seng Yang discussed masturbation and had Jane Doe help him download Hentai porn



During cross examination, Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield asked Eureka Police Department Ron Harpham if Jane Doe had any injuries on January 5, 2018. Det. Harpham said no.

"Mr. Sterling has rejected all our offers? Is there a pending offer?"


Trial confirmation was scheduled for Jorden Sterling this morning. His attorney Mr. Russ Clanton told Judge John Feeney that the jury trial scheduled for June 10 "remains set" but the case is "likely to resolve."

Defense subpoenas records from St. Joseph Hospital in Chad Smith's jury trial




Trial confirmation is scheduled on June 12 in the third jury trial for alleged molestor Chad Smith.

According to court records, on May 28, the defense has subpoenaed records from St. Joseph hospital.

Edward Pena Jr to be booked on assault, criminal threats, false imprisonment and various other charges





Pena was booked on Saturday, 6/1. His bail is $85,000.

Convicted human trafficker David Anderson's rescheduled for August



Motion to continue convicted human trafficker David Anderson's preliminary hearing was requested by Conflict Counsel due to ongoing investigation. The People did not object.

Aaron Hungerford charges reduced to misdemeanors


Aaron Hungerford had a hearing on this morning. Defense made an oral motion to continue. Jury trial scheduled for June 20 was vacted. All charges have been reduced to a misdemeanor.  The alleged victim in the case, Jane Doe, was with Hungerford in court.

"Tonight when mom falls asleep, I wake you, we do it."



Jimmy Yung is the name Seng Yang uses for his music business. The Facebook account is not available through profile search but I found the Instagram photo. The Mtactainment was used in an email account. There are Hmong music videos online under his stage name.

Eureka Police Department Senior Detective Ron Harpham was on the stand all day yesterday.

May 29, 2019

Jurors watch Seng Yang remove his daughter's clothes, position the camera and perform various sex acts on a lifeless Jane Doe



There were two short videos on Seng Yang's cell phone. The names of the video were the two items that former DA Investigator Martin Perrone testified about yesterday.

"All I can think of is you two sleeping together."



After his interview with Seng Yang, Eureka Police Department Senior Detective Ron Harpham went to his apartment on Prospect Street, did a walkthrough and a short interview with Yang's wife, Kristy Lee.

"when I was lost, scared, and o so confused, I reached out to you,  and you a complete stranger with a big heart were awesome to me"


"You must ignore the hate,  it saddens me you have to endure,  but I know these things are false when I was lost, scared, and o so confused, I reached out to you,  and you a complete stranger with a big heart were awesome to me I knew all kinds of things that could have gotten me hurt but instead of taking advantage of me you helped me steer away from danger your words touched me deeply my entire live is 360 degrees different now and blessed in more ways than I can count and you a stranger with a heart played huge part in that without you ever even realizing it you must keep being you cause I'm sure there are more lives that God needs his angel to touch they way you touched mine."

Calling Seng Yang a depraved, souless monster would be an understatement after this morning's testimony


Text messages from Seng Yang's phone and Kristy Lee's phone and  three videos were played for jurors this morning. If you thought Yang and Lee were disgusting POS, today's testimony will leave you cringing.

Criminal proceedings suspended in Mexican citizen Hugo Aguirre's case




Mexican citizen had his trial confirmation scheduled for May 29. Jury trial scheduled for June 17 was vacated.

Doubt was declared. Criminal proceedings were suspended this morning. Report by Dr. Katy Wilson is due on June 25.

Antone Aubrey's murder case dates vacated, pre trial continued by both defense and People



Pre-trial and status of Doctor's reports for murder suspect Antone Aubrey was scheduled this morning. Continued by People and defense to 6/25.

"Factually incorrect" article from the Times Standard on the Visitors Bureau and Board of Supervisors?



"Should you read today’s Times-Standard article about the Bureau. It’s factually incorrect."

May 28, 2019

Man traveling from Louisiana to Alaska gives a shout out to EPD officer Nicholas Dalby



"All hail officer Nicholas Dalby of the Eureka, CA Police Department. He responded in five minutes to the report of my stolen smart phone. He was kind, courteous, professional  and amazingly empathetic after learning of my circumstances travelling from Louisiana. "

Yang begged, pleaded with Det. Harpham not to tell his mom, not to take his photo, and have this be on social media




The most damning testimony of the day was a video of Eureka Police Department Senior Detective Ron Harpham's interview with Yang.

Thumbnails of two videos on Seng Yang's cellphone leave little to the imagination




Former DA Investigator and currently HCSO Deputy Martin Perrone testified about the forensic extractions he did on Yang's Samsung Galaxy S5 and a scan card in the phone.

$200,000 damage for onr structure fire; $75,000 for another



At about 3:12pm on Tuesday, May 28th, Humboldt Bay Fire was conducting a Trench Rescue training at the Humboldt Community Services District when crews were dispatched to a home on fire in the Lazy J Trailer Park on the 3800 block of Jacobs Avenue. Upon arrival, it appeared that the fire started in one trailer and had spread to a neighboring trailer before crews arrived.

Jane Doe's older sister also had a CAST interview




CWS Social Worker and Supervisor Jed Mefford testified this morning about Jane Doe's CAST interview which took place on January 5, 2018. This is the same day she went to the Eureka Police Department with allegations about her father, Seng Yang.

Alleged molestor James Hearn's jury trial scheduled for July 22



James Hearn was  arraigned on information on this morning. Same charges that he was held to answer to after the preliminary hearing

Trial confirmation is on July 9; Jury trial July 22.

Last minute continuance for alleged molestor Michael Franco's jury trial




At trial confirmation, jury trial for alleged molestor Michael Franco had been confirmed for May 28. Then at trial assignment on May 24, defense requested a continuance.

Seng Yang's wife enters into an immunity agreement with the People, jurors can use it in evaluating her testimony



Seng Yang's wife Kristy Lee was recalled to the stand. With her was her court appointed attorney, Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell.

Will carjacking suspect Nicholas Savieo's jury trial actually start as scheduled?


Trial confirmation for car jacking suspect Nicholas Savieo was scheduled for May 22. It was continued at the request of defense until this morning.

Jury trial scheduled for June 3 was confirmed.

May 26, 2019

One unit had to be diverted for the Alliance shooting incident to deal with a person jumping in and out of traffic


While law enforcement is dealing with the Alliance shooting incident, one unit had to be diverted for a person in dark clothing jumping out in front of traffic on Sunset.

Shooting at 1050 Alliance


Several agencies responding to Q & Foster in Arcata. There has been a shooting at 1050 Alliance Road at an apartment.  Initial report two gunshot victims. Suspect is a white male wearing a gray sweatshirt and red hat and is headed towards Heather Lane. Initial address given was 1025 Alliance.

Samsung camera and cellphone mounted over the bed among electronics seized from Seng Yang's residence


On January 5, 2018, Eureka Police Detective Richard Bise was notified by EPD Sgt. Rodrigo Sanchez to contact Officer Michael Huynh. This was around 11:30 a.m. Det. Bise had brief interaction with Jane Doe and her sister in the EPD interview room.

HCSO responding to report of dead body near Willow Creek motel



Someone from the Willow Creek Motel just reported a dead body under the bridge near the motel. HCSO responding. This is unconfirmed as HCSO is not on scene yet.

On May 26, 2019, at about 4:40 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 300 block of State Route 96 for the report of a deceased subject located underneath a bridge next to the Willow Creek.



The subject, a 59-year-old male, was located by a passerby who had stopped to look at the creek.



Upon further investigation, the death does not appear to be suspicious at this time, but that the subject possibly fell while walking down to the creek. An autopsy is scheduled for today.

The only information that the Sgt on Patrol had that it was a deceased male. HCSO PIO Samantha Karges was able to provide more information on May 28.

Seng Yang's wife denies seeing anything; her testimony interrupted and she spoke with an attorney


Kristy Lee was 16 years old when she married 19 year old Seng Yang. This was in 2000. Jane Doe, their child was born in 2003.

Trayten Hunt flees from law enforcement, gets arrested again




On 5/25/19 at 11:55 am, the Arcata Police Department officer with his K-9 "Baron" joined a vehicle pursuit of McKinleyville resident, Trayten Hunt initiated by the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office.

Seng Yang told Officer Huynh "don't tell my parents what I did."


Former Eureka Police Department Officer Michael Huynh responded to a call on January 5, 2018 about a sex assault on a minor.

May 25, 2019

"WTF, you don't read bitch. You better read bitch so next time you don't see my fist in your mouth."


During redirect examination by Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads, Jane Doe said she met with DA Investigator Kyla Baxley and took a quick look at the Facebook messages.

Ms. Eads asked her about a message from Defense Exhibit A that had just been shown to her during cross examination. The message said,"Come to room."

"I don't normally text like that and I don't remember anything like this."

Did you message your father asking him to come to your room asking him to have sex with you?"


"You testified at length yesterday about the things that your father did to you,"Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield said to Jane Doe. Mr. Brownfield asked her to clarify her age the first time Seng Yang had sexual intercourse with her. Jane Doe's testimony was that her dad raped her.

Jane Doe said 8th grade. She couldnt remember, she was 13 or 14 years old.

Supporters of Dr. Connie Basch are organizing to support her

(Image: newsus.com)

"Any physician, patients past or present, family members of patients that wish to support Dr. Connie Basch and the exceptional quality of care she provides to this medically under-served community, please use the email below. We are organizing a group of citizens to show public support for Dr. Basch."

25 page document filed by Medical Board of CA with the State Attorney General on May 8


This is related to the earlier post about the California Medical Board wanting to revoke Dr.Corrine Basch's license.

"We cannot let negativity overcome our town."


Supervisor Rex Bohn gives a thumbs up after a complete detail by David Reynoza, The Detail Doctor.

"We cannot let negativity overcome our town," said Reynoza. I happen to know this isn't the first time he has donated his time and detailing  services to others, including Camp Fire survivors.

Husband in line at the store teases his wife they better stop making out or I will post about them on the blog


To the couple yesterday, thanks for the laugh and it was very nice to meet you too.

I was checking my phone when I heard, "We better stop making out or the headline will be couple makes out at grocery store."

Rex Bohn's truck found by EPD at 15th and B




"Thanks EPD.  15th and B. Insides are stripped and Empty. But looks OK.  Thanks for all the Eyes out there   All Good Love Humboldt"- First District Supervisor Rex Bohn

Medical Board of California may revoke Dr. Basch's license, complaint referred to State Attorney General's Office


I received a tip tha  the California Medical Board wants to revoke Dr. Corrine Basch's license  for overprescribing opiates.

May 24, 2019

Wall Street Journal features Humboldt after a pitch from Eureka-Humboldt Visitors Bureau

When one of the nation’s busiest big city newspapers needed a California break, the Eureka-Humboldt Visitors Bureau stepped in as its guide. The payoff? Coverage in the Wall Street Journal’s travel section this week, starring many Humboldt County attractions and businesses, worth an estimated $200,000 in media placement value.

The prosecution is winning, has a solid case against Seng Yang



Yesterday, Seng Yang's attorney, Deputy District Attorney Luke Brownfield cross examined Jane Doe. He asked some tough questions but was not able to impeach any of her testimony, even on recross. Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads asked Jane Doe some questions during redirect about Facebook messages.

Peeping Tom if this is your bike and backpack, HCSO wants you to confact them




May 23, 2019

Fourth continuance just to set dates granted in Eshghipour's insurance fraud and elder abuse case


Defense filed a motion to continue in Maziar Eshghipour's case. This is the fourth continuance for setting of preliminary hearing and ruling on demurrer scheduled for May 23.

Mr. Greg Rael was in court for Eshghipour.

Local attorney Kathleen Bryson enters a plea in her DUI case



A pre trial conference was scheduled on May 23 in Kathleen Bryson's DUI case. She entered a plea to Count 1. Counts 2 and 3 dismissed. Three years probation and fines.


Seng Yang starts talking despite Judge Feeney saying, "Be quiet" causing courtroom to be closed and jurors asked to leave




After Deputy District Attorney Stacey Eads showed juror some screenshots of the Facebook messenger messages and photos of Seng Yang with Jane Doe in a bedroom, Deputy Public Defender Luke Brownfield was about to begin his cross examination of Jane Doe.

Since DA Maggie Fleming took over, pending felony caseload has been reduced by 50%




Since DA Maggie Fleming took over, pending felony caseload has been reduced by almost 50%. 1,000 cases pending, now 578.

While Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is out on maternity leave, Deputy DA Whitney Timm is taking over her CAST cases.