Pregnant with her co-defendant's child, is Alma Ahumadamendoza also a victim of an older, second strike felon?

A supervised release report was requested again for Alma Ahumadamendoza by Deputy Public Defender David Celli. The ICE hold was not mentioned at the March 13 hearing. Once again, probation recommended against releasing Ahumadamendoza and Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer agreed with that reccomendation. Their primary objection was that Ahumadamendoza was a flight risk. After listening to both attorneys, Judge Lawrence Killoran denied supervised release for that reason.

Her co-defendant Demetrius Coleman is charged with murder and special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm which caused great bodily injury or death to Johnny Renfro. Ahumadamendoza is charged as an accessory after the fact.

Usually, one has to wait until the preliminary hearing for certain details of the crime and attorney's arguments. Yesterday a preview of the defense's argument for Ahumadamendoza was provided through Mr. Celli's statements. Ms. Schaffer provided some details that gave insight into Ahumamendoza's charge. Mr. Celli provided a handwritten letter from Ahumadamendoza to the Court.

"In this matter the Court faces a tough decision, only because of the background of the co-defendant.," said Mr. Celli. He said that Ahumadamendoza is charged with a felony and facing a three year sentence. She has no criminal history.

"She came to Humboldt County when she was six years old," said Mr. Celli. "Her family is here in court. The probation report makes it seem like she is a transient from North Dakota. "

"The co-defendant is a second strike felon," said Mr. Celli. "He is 20 years older than Ms. Ahumadamendoza."

Mr. Celli said when all this happened in Rio Dell, Ahumadamendoza had no idea why Coleman was so anxious to leave Humboldt.

"She took action in the midwest to get back to Humboldt and turn herself in but he took her phone from her," said Mr. Celli. "There was an implicit threat that anything she did to endanger him would endanger her."

"She is pregnant with his child," said Mr. Celli. "She has another child locally" who is with her family in Eureka. "They are all gainfully employed as was Ms. Ahumadamendoza." Ahumadamendoza's delivery due date is in June.

"We are not denying the flight risk," said Mr. Celli. "I ask she be ordered to be on electronic monitoring." Mr. Celli said he has had conversations with Ahumadamendoza. "She intends to see this matter to the end."

"She is not charged with homicide," said Mr. Celli. "The danger to the community is the co-defendant."

Mr. Celli asked that Ahumadamendoza be released "contrary to probation's reccomendation."

"Counsel is correct regarding Ms. Ahumadamendoza being a flight risk, " said Ms. Schaffer. "The defendant fled out of state."

"The information we have is that the defendant followed the co-defendant to Rio Dell from Eureka," said Ms. Schaffer. "It appears that she was concealing something under her sweatshirt."

"The victim was shot several times; one was fatal," said Ms. Schaffer. "The defendant followed the co-defendant to Highway 36." Ms. Schaffer said Ahumadamendoza helped Coleman "conceal suspect's vehicle." Then, fled to North Dakota. "Her locker contained several weapons. There may be other evidence."

Mr. Celli said that Ahumadamendoza and Coleman met in Rio Dell "after the event happened." He said the description that Ahumadamendoza followed Coleman "and disposed of the vehicle is inaccurate."

Mr. Celli said this is based on the statement of an occupant who was in Ahumadamendoza's car. This occupant is someone Ahumadamendoza dropped off before meeting Coleman.

He acknowledged his client did "meet up" with Coleman and she did flee.

Mr. Celli said based on Coleman's rap sheet, he is "criminally sophisticated."

Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/03/jail-and-probation-say-alma.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/03/demetrius-coleman-gets-private-attorney.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/02/preliminary-hearing-for-suspects-in.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/02/supervised-release-denied-for-alma.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/02/alma-ahumadamendoza-charged-as.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/02/demetrius-coleman-arraigned-today-for.html?m=1