Count 1 guilty. Right after it was read, the bailiff cuffed Demetrius Coleman. Then the two special allegations were read and found true. Coleman showed no emotion; just seemed stunned. After he softly said yes to waiving time for sentencing, he put his head down.
Juror #12 was the foreperson. Have no idea if jurors will stay and talk to the attorneys. Due to COVID 19, can't be on the second floor.
Just like the Jon Goldberg jury, you never know with Humboldt juries. In every trial I have covered, except for Goldberg and Coleman; the verdict was the same as my coverage.
I made comments about the jury throughout my coverage. From the sleeping, distracted jurors to no apparent person of color in that room that a commenter mentioned, I was hoping my gut feeling about this jury would not pan out. Unfortunately for Coleman; my feeling about the jury was correct.
In both the Goldberg and Coleman cases, the jury rushed deliberations for serious homicide cases. In both cases, the defendants were outsiders. This jury, for whatever reasons, decided that despite overwhelming evidence of weak and questionable witnesses and shoddy investigation, they would render their verdict and go home early to enjoy the holiday tomorrow. I have covered many court cases abd trials in Humboldt. Black and other defendants of color in this insular, mostly white town are held to a double standard.
I have no doubt that Coleman was in that green Honda. There are parts of his testimony that day that could be questioned but I don't believe with proof beyond a reasonable doubt that he is the one shot Johnny Renfro. The victim was not law abiding citizen and plenty of people had motive to kill him. We will never know the entire story because the Rio Dell police chief wrapped up a case convenient to them and it's another notch in the DA's belt of victories.
Rio Dell will keep raking in their cannabis revenue. Humboldt will continue protecting the locals over outsiders. Peoplein this town are numb to crime unless it is a molestor. It's just another black man and Humboldt will continue to ignore the racism and corruption. As long as the Humboldt locals who have maintained the status quo for decades are fine, who cares if justice is done and any other life is destroyed?
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https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2020/11/bailiff-cuffed-demetrius-coleman-right.html?m=1
It isnt over Coleman is innocent! Justice is yet to be served.
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