"I have not been informed of any negotiation"

Deputy Public Defender Ben McLaughlin spoke with former insurance agent John Ford before court opened. It sounded like a possible plea was being discussed. In court before the case was formally called, Mr. McLaughlin spoke with Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm. She appeared in court today for Deputy DA David Moutrie who is the prosecutor for this case. "No resolution then?," said Mr. McLaughlin. According to Mr. McLaughlin, Paul Gallegos' clients were on board with the plea.

Some in the community are aware that the Gallegos family and the Ford family were very close. In a previous conversation with Ford, it seems there has been a change.

Addressing Ford, Mr.McLaughlin said "the prosecutor on your case did not make notes.  We will keep the offer open and bring you back in a couple of months so get started on what you need to do."

Humboldt Redwood Healing's Thomas Mulder, one of the alleged victims in the complaint addressed the court. "I am the original victim. It is obvious there are a lot of victims. I know some don't want to come forward. There have been numerous postponements in the process." Mulder asked this case not be postponed until next year in March. "I have not been informed of any negotiation." Mulder is being represented by Paul Gallegos.

Judge Wilson told Mulder, the case was going to resolve today. and that it probably did not so all victims could be informed. "All victims deserve restitution. This is a 2016 case. It has been a long journey. The case is set in afashion that accomodates everyone. There are several cases before the court, including many homicides."

I saw Mulder after court. He already has a $200,000 plus civil judgement against Ford. "It is not about the money, it is about justice."

Nezzie Wade of AHAA was also in court. The organization is another alleged victim listed in the complaint.

Earlier post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/09/john-ford-charged-with-same-14-counts.html?m=1