John Chiv: September 2020

Sep 30, 2020

Herrick Avenue collision results in death of Timothy McTague, Sr.

On 09/30/2020 at approximately 5:30 AM, the Humboldt Area CHP received a request from the Eureka Police Department (EPD) to assist in locating a tan Jeep Cherokee for a welfare check on the driver, Timothy McTague, Sr.

Public Defender Marek Reavis had seven character witnesses testify today. This included his son Paul Dare from one wife, two church members, another stepdaughter from another wife who also goes to his church, two former work supervisors and a man who knew Mark Dare because Mark Dare rented a house from a family member. Three of these men are "Christians", one did not specify if he was Christian.

Mark Dare cheated on Windy Dare, visited backpage and considered suicide twice in his life

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Search warrant served on large illicit marijuana operation taking place in a residential neighborhood

On September 28, 2020, the Eureka Police Department’s Problem Oriented Policing Team (POP) along with City of Eureka’s Code Enforcement unit served a search warrant at a residence on the 200 block of Boyle Drive in Eureka.

If Windy Dare's testimony was the Titanic; Mark Dare's performance on the stand is the Hindenburg

Mark Dare has been late a few times and barely making it to court. This afternoon, he was late, again. Judge Kaleb Cockrum told him to be conscientious of the time.

Dare took the stand in his own case. It was a mistake. He is a disaster on the stand. This is during direct question by his attorney, Public Defender Marek Reavis.

Both Mark and Windy Dare watched porn; he brought things into their bedroom he learned from watching porn

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Humboldt County resident in their 80s, in a hospital out of the county, is the eight COVID 19 related death

Humboldt County resident in their 80s has died at an out-of-county hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19. This marks the eighth death of a county resident related to the virus.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer has filed a 170.6 to disqualify Judge Timothy Canning, who said evidence was weak at the preliminary hearing against Demetrius Coleman. Charges were dismissed against Coleman's co-defendant Alma Ahumadamendoza after the preliminary hearing. Judge Canning is also the judge who released Ahumadamendoza from custody.

The People's expert witness finished testifying this morning.

Defense started their case by calling Windy Dare on the stand.

I was headed into the Courthouse this morning and First District Supervisor Rex Bohn headed to his office.

Trial setting was continued to September 28 for voluntary manslaughter suspect Brian Leiteritz.

Trial confirmation is scheduled for February 2; jury trial for March 1st. Four week trial estimate.

Chong Her is scheduled to be arraigned this afternoon. He is charged with PC 459 burglary, PC 664/207(a) kidnapping, PC 273.5 (a), corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant and PC 136.1 (c) (1), falsifying evidence, and bribing, influencing, intimidating or threatening witnesses.

Ming Tree should thank this observant EPD officer

I was walking on 6th Street and was about to contact Larry Doss, however, an observant EPD officer driving on 6th Street handled the situation. This is one example of EPD officers actively patroling and watching out for neighborhoods and businesses.

There is a lot of activity, as usual, today and tonight on 4th, 5th and 6th streets.

CWS, the law, even their own mother failed them and like many court cases, two girls had to wait for the DA and the courts to believe them; to even get a chance to be heard ; will they get justice?

The People's last witness is expected to testify tomorrow. They haven't called an expert so I assume that is the witness. I am curious to see if it is Dr.Anthony Urquiza. If it is, I have watched him testify many times and can add the gist of his testimony. The basics apply to other sexual abuse cases and victims.

Took the photo earlier today. Fortunately, I pay attention when I walk. The streets of Eureka are like an obstacle course with needle litter, weeds, trash and more.

Information in the press release below is for Mendocino, Trinity and Humboldt.

I did a post in January 27,2019 about a cow in the highway. It was not Ray Christie's cow. Emailed CHP, never heard back about that inquiry.

Governor Gavin Newsom signs more legislation strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ Californians

Governor Gavin Newsom today signed legislation strengthening protections for LGBTQ+ Californians, including a measure to track the effects of COVID-19 on the community, a bill establishing the Transgender and Wellness Equity Fund and a bill requiring the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) to house transgender, gender-nonconforming and intersex (TGI) individuals in a manner that matches their gender identity while supporting health and safety.

For once, someone else called EPD, as they should about the problem alley. At 2:05 a.m., EPD responded and I took this photo. A drunk guy had been screaming for at least an hour and arguing and fighting with the other transients and drug addicts.

Fire officials have warned Emerald Triangle locals they will do everything they can to defend the crops but will not risk firefighters' lives to save residents who have refused to leave.

(Photo: Mike McMillan / U.S. Forest Service)

Nate Trujillo, a narcotics deputy in Trinity County sat watched California's largest wildfire, the August Complex, work its way toward the cannabis-growing enclave of Post Mountain-Trinity Pines "Many of the locals are refusing to evacuate. It's mainly growers. And a lot of them, they don’t want to leave because that is their livelihood."

"CAL FIRE would like to remind residents that the burn suspension is still in effect. These illegal debris fires require fire resources to respond to preventable incidents, leaving less resources available for other emergencies. Just today Humboldt County fire crews responded to six illegal debris burns. These burns are not only illegal but increase the chances of new catastrophic fire starts and are damaging to the environment."-Paul Savona,Battalion Chief, CAL FIRE

Tracie Nichols was arraigned today on the case that is associated with the arrest of local attorney Michael Acosta.

Nichols is charged with HS11351, possession of drugs for sale and HS11364 (a) possession of drug paraphernalia. Trial setting is on October 28.

Dennis Winder, father of Jane Doe #1 and # 2 testified today.

When asked about Mark Dare, Winder said, After a certain situation happened, I lost respect for him. I tolerated him."

After the jury was excused today, Judge Kaleb Cockrum addressed scheduling and a ruling he made yesterday.

A defendant brought their own children to sentencing today with no plan and no person to take care of them. While Judge Kaleb Cockrum acknowledged the concern about COVID 19, this was an in person sentencing which is specially set.

On September 24, 2020, at about 6:00 p.m., a demonstration related to the Breonna Taylor decision took place on the 5th Street side of the Humboldt County Courthouse.

The jury trial for murder suspect Demetrius Coleman schedued for September 28 was continued for one week by the court due to courtroom availability. Now scheduled for 10/5. Last day is 10/9.

I had already previously reported on the DA's life without parole decision.

EPD with lights and sirens heading down 5th Street

Just saw EPD officer Mark Meftah with lights and sirens head down 5th Street near the Courthouse.

Have the Mark Dare trial,again, all day, but will try and followup.

In 12 minutes, just this morning, this doesn't even cover all the calls EPD responds to.

Sep 24, 2020

Child porn, search for suboxone, statute of limitations on murder and child molestation covered in today's testimony

Today's testimony in the Mark Dare trial covered his arrest text messages, videos of child porn, web searches.

A Humboldt County resident in their 60s has died after being diagnosed with COVID-19. This marks the seventh death related to COVID-19 in the county.

Former insurance John Ford was sentenced today. His commit to jail date is November 28.

This offsite courtroom is creating unexpected issues, only because you have a defendant who has no clues about boundaries or capable of focusing on anyone but himself. At the courthouse, at least there are options to put physical distance and more access to bailiffs.

Chong Yang Her was arrested yesterday by HCSO for PC 422 criminal threats, PC459/461(b) burglary, PC664/207(a) kidnapping, PC646.9(a) stalking, PC273.5(a), corporal injury to spouse/cohabitant.

Marek Reavis failed to convey formal plea offers and a child molestor got his writ of habeas corpus granted

This is a case that was tried during the Paul Gallegos administration. Mr. Marek Reavis was not the Public Defender at the time he represented. He is currently representing alleged molestor Mark Dare.

Mark Dare's jury trial was busy with several witneses today, the first Zoom witness in the case and a key ruling at the end of the day by Judge Kaleb Cockrum to unseal two documents in the file that contains the search warrant.

At trial confirmation for Samantha Luna this morning, jury trial for October 5 was vacated. Trial setting is scheduled on November 12.

Michael Acosta and Sarah Carroll were held to answer on all counts. 17 B motion to reduce the felonies were denied.

Trial setting was scheduled for murder suspect Pamela Millsap this morning. Further setting is scheduled for November 17. Defense motion for return of property was deferred to the same date. Judge Christopher Wilson ordered Millsap can have identifying information returned after copies are made.

Mark and Windy Dare and anyone who supports them does not follow Christ or the gospel

"If anyone causes one of these little ones--those who believe in me--to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea." Matthew 18:6

(Mark Dare)

Today was a difficult and exhausting day at the Mark Dare jury trial. Every day in a sex abuse trial is like that but the ones where the "alleged" victims testify are the hardest. Jane Doe #1's testimony took up most of the day. There were breaks, several conferences in "chambers", repeated warnings by Judge Kaleb Cockrum to defense about the questions.