Once again, they forgot to turn on livestream and they don't care

 

Status of motion for new trial and setting of sentencing for convicted molestor Mark Dare was scheduled on February 19.

What happened? Who knows? They forgot to turn on the livestream. There were members of the public and people who testified in the case who were interested in the outcome and asked me how and if they could watch livestream.

Now, I have to put in extra effort to get the information add an update. Again, in a busy week with constant issues with court livestream. I am the only one covering this case. 

This increases and wastes my time and the time of anyone I need to follow up with and get information. Cannot access the 2nd floor to check the e court system. Other courts in California have made accomodations for media,; but not Humboldt.  These issues also impact attorneys, victims, defendants and the public.

This case is of particular relevance because the Public Defender's office and Marek Reavis are in the middle of litigation. These "mistakes" have happened all week and for months. We are not in a COVID emergency. This is a year later. Things ran better when the shelter in place was first placed and for a while. So what has changed?

The livestream was not turned it on for the 8:40 case. It is still not turned on for the 9 a.m. calendar. in Courtroom Five. They finally turned it on after this post. This bs is all the time but with COVID 19 restrictions, it is frustrating. 

Humboldt Superior Court wants people and attorneys to appear via Zoom but certain Judges and court staff can't be bothered to be professional, on time or respect people's legal rights or operate simple technology. HCSO has removed all experienced bailiffs. Half the issues are bailiffs touching and messing with the equipment. One person in court should turn the equipment on every day. How hard is that to figure out and implement? 

These hearings are to be conducted in an open courtroom. Humboldt Superior Court needs to follow California law and they repeatedly thumb their nose and do whatever they want. 

Humboldt County Public Health needs to stop being a dictator and having onerous regulations. From the courts to banks to businesses, none of these over the top restrictions have prevented the spread of COVID in Humboldt. It took Public Health a month to tell the public about the new variant in Granada. 

Work instead on getting people vaccinated and following up where people are being unsafe instead of wasting time in places and businesses where masks and sanitizing is being done and implemented. Government and courts cannot be closed indefinitely. You still want your taxes, your government paychecks but you impede other people's liberties and ability to make a living.

This is what Judge Kaleb Cockrum, Humboldt Superior Court administration thinks of you the public and could care less about transparency. Kerri Keenan may have left but the stench of arrogance and issues remain. One person described it as "the kangaroo courts" of Humboldt County.

Mr. Russ Clanton was appointed as counsel for convicted molestor Mark Dare for the limited purpose of to look into the discovery claim made by Dare. He was supposed to file a memo. Then People would file a response.

Public Defender Marek Reavis remains as Dare's attorney. Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor.

Update: Thank you to Ms. Timm who responded promptly to my inquiry. She shouldn't have to because she has enough on her plate.

"Judge Cockrum removed himself from deciding the issue due to the appearance of fairness and his past relationship with Mr. Reavis.  He stated he knew he could be fair, but was concerned about the appearance of it. The hearing was was put over to 3/1 for Judge Wilson to decide if he will take it up or assign it to another judge."

My response: Judge Cockrum suddenly realizes there is an issue with "appearance."  And then he "forgets" to turn the livestream on.Why was this not raised several hearings ago? Why did Judge Cockrum preside over the trial.

There are disclosures in every case by Judges but disqualifications in just some. No consistency.

There are lot of friendships and conflicts of interests in Humboldt and the local courts are not any different. That inside knowledge is not something other media knows and in instances they do, they ignore. Humboldt Superior Court having a Mendocino or Del Norte Judge preside over a Humboldt case involving Humboldt Superior Court Judges or staff is putting those regional Judges in a difficult position. Visiting Judges from other parts of California who don't get savvy to the "Humboldt way" aren't invited back. 

You have other Humboldt Judges such as Gregory Elvine-Kreis who don't even bother about "appearances". And now, there is a lawsuit against him and the Public Defender's Office and specific employees. 

Not all local Judges and Commissioners are the same but the California Judicial Council, just like the state of California, has failed California residents by the regular and lack of proper scrutiny in rural areas. Humboldt is getting attention with lawsuits against the County, County Counsel, Public Defender and Judges. I talk to lawyers and others in the legal field in California and in the nation. They do pay attention; they read this blog. 

Business people and professionals don't need to and don't like, follow or comment for obvious reasons. Those people call, email or tell me feedback in person.

Social media statistics which have "fake accounts" and "anonymous accounts" and trolls are not an indicator of actual views or readership. When it comes to Humboldt court coverage, people know where to go first and who they trust. Real investigative journalism is speaking the truth.

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https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/01/five-months-after-his-conviction-mark.html?m=1#more