"My apologies in delay to jurors and counsel"

 

At 10:58, the court clerk administered the oath to jurors and alternates in the Jeff Tsarnas jury trial.

At 11, Judge Timothy Canning started reading initial jury instructions. At 11:15, Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees was ready to present his opening statement. 

From 11:15 to 11:39 we spent time waiting on jurors to get notebooks and pens. A juror checked his cell phone and court tech fixed the camera. At 11:34, the judicial secretary brought in notebooks and pens which were handed out to jurors.

Judge Canning apologized to jurors for the delay.

Whether this was the result of a court bailiff not knowing or preparing ahead; an oversight from Humboldt Superior Court administration or top staff; I don't care? It happens often, pre COVID and I don't believe or care about the usual finger pointing.

This is the kind of poor planning, waste of time and disrespect for jurors and other people's time is typical in Humboldt Superior Court that has nothing to do with COVID 19. The court needs bailiffs experienced in the system and Humboldt Superior Court needs to fix these internal issues.

The buck stops with Sheriff William Honsal, Presiding Judge Joyce Hinrichs and Humboldt Superior Court CEO Kim Bartleson. I don't want excuses on livestream or in person; leaders fix the issue and take responsibility.

You all are getting paid during the pandemic. Others struggling and those in the private industry don't have time to piss around or have their  lives and finances impacted by inefficieny.

How hard is it when the courtrooms are offline, closed and you know a jury trial is going on to adjust the camera and have juror notebooks ready?

After lunch, court did not start on time for the Tsarnas trial. It was opened at 2:22 p.m. Jurors then came in, counsel briefly "approached the bench. The attorneys were in there before talking to the Judge? Finally, the alleged victim, Marie Kelly, took the stand.

Maybe we could have more jury trials if we started on time?

Instead, we have brief opening statements. Testimony that did not start until 2:30 and the second witness is being called at 3:35. Court ends at 4 p.m.

Ending early and starting late happens frequently in local jury trials. The Tsarnas case has already had many delays. Why does Humboldt Superior Court schedule cases in the same court as a jury trial in the mornings? The jurors were already told that there are a few matters before the Tsarnas trial resumes.

When I first started covering courts, each courtroom had alphabets assigned. Jury trials did not go all day. Instead of an exception, they are the norm. Humboldt Superior Court can spin stats all they want but the changes meant to address the backlog have only increased the chaos.

Courtrooms are offline so much these days? If there are staffing issues or people out sick, then let the Judges be upfront about that at trial assignment.  The backlog is not all COVID 19 related. 

Instead let's rush jury trials, hearings and due process because the California Judicial Council cannot be bothered to have any oversight or give a damn  about the issues in local California Courts. 

Google the issues and problems in other local courts. Google how in other places local media and watchdog organizations have had an impact in getting national attention and change on the corruption prevalent in California and that includes the courts.

The pandemic has been used as an excuse by government and courts to ignore rights of the people.

In Humboldt, we have no one other media addressing the real issues in court, government or the community that have a devastating impact on people's lives, finances and freedoms.

California touts itself as being progressive. Yet, there is no option to get justice for small, rural counties because the state agencies and legislators don't care and there is corruption and arrogance statewide. There should be an option in small towns to petition and appeal at the state level and then federal level.  Courts in small towns should have a standard form available to request a change of venue because in a small town; certain people are targeted; gaslighted and will never get a fair hearing or trial.

Humboldt Superior Court has local rules, local ways of doing things and no local court forms or complete and accessible information. These local "rules" are whatever suits administration.

I have had to crop the identity of the locals who send me feedback. Many do it privately. It is a fact and I have proof that my readers, supporters and advertisers are harassed and intimidated. 

People read and support my blog and are loyal because they know every day, every year what I go through. And, I will protect them because I know what Humboldt does to anyone who stands up and speaks truth.

The powers in this town and their psychophants have done everything they can to prevent me from exposing what some in Humboldt want to hide and destroy me personally and financially. They did it to Bret Harte and who stood up?

If they can control what you write; the evil and corrupt don'target you. Independent reporting is not for the weak, for those who compromise, and it is not for those who selective do coverage and decide what information the public deserves to know.