Mar 17, 2021

Tsarnas jury trial in quarantine

 


The status of Jeff Tsarnas' hit and run jury trial is officially scheduled later this morning. I reported yesterday that jury selection was delayed. 

Humboldt Superior Court CEO and Jury Commissioner Kim Bartleson confirmed that "a COVID positive person"  was in "attendance in that court last Thursday, March 11th."

In another case right now involving Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke, both Judge Kaleb Cockrum and Ms. Van Dyke stated Tsarnas trial is in quarantine and hiatus until Monday.

That was officially confirmed when the Tsarnas case was called at 9:30 a.m. Judge Timothy Canning was not in court; he appeared via Zoom. The attorneys appeared via Zoom. Whether the jury trial can resume on Monday, March 22 depends on test results and if the Public Health Officer determines further quarantine is necessary.

"My understanding is that the earliest we can resume with jury selection is Monday," said Judge Canning. 

"My concern is how long we have jurors hardshipped," said Mr. Rees. He said there were witnesses flying in from out of state. They had been scheduled for specific days.

Previously dark days were not being allowed. Mr Rees asked the Court for some flexibility and said, "I cannot promise when I can get them here."

The Public Health Officer will contact Mr. Rees on Sunday to let him know if he needs to quarantine further. If he cannot be there in person, he will appear via Zoom.

Judge Canning said jurors were hardshipped until the end of March and they could discuss scheduling further.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for the case. Deputy DA Steven Steward is second chair. Ms. Van Dyke is Tsarnas' attorney.

Tsarnas was not in court. Ms. Van Dyke made a 977 appearance.

Recent posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/03/covid-19-exposure-delays-jury-selection.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/03/the-jeff-tsarnas-jury-trial-seems-to-be.html?m=1

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