John Chiv: Verdict in Jeff Tsarnas trial

Apr 1, 2021

Verdict in Jeff Tsarnas trial

Heard there is a verdict in Jeff Tsarnas hit and run case.

11:35 Guilty as charged in the complaint. Tsarnas was charged with one Count, VC 20001 (a). The jury was polled at the request of the defense.

The jury had the option of a lesser included offense. Judge Canning had previously dismissed the special allegation.

Sentencing on April 26. Judge Canning denied People's request to remand.

Judge Timothy Canning addressed the jury deliberations and said that it is difficult and they were contemplating different issues and he is sorry he could not provide a clearer answer.

At this time, defense has not indicated whether they will refile their motions for dismissal. Now that there is a conviction, Judge Canning had left that option open because he dismissed those motions without prejudice.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Steward was present for the People. Deputy Conflict Counsel April Van Dyke is Tsarnas' attorney.

Information on penalty:

https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&sectionNum=20001

DA's press release:

On April 1, 2021, a Humboldt County jury found 57-year-old Jeffry Lee Tsarnas guilty of felony Hit and Run Causing Serious, Permanent Injury.

The conviction stems from a November 27, 2018 incident on Fernbridge, when Tsarnas struck a pedestrian and fled the scene without rendering aid or providing information to law enforcement. Sergeant Harvey of the California Highway Patrol led the investigation of the incident. Evidence collected at the scene as well as surveillance footage and witness statements led to his arrest.

Deputy District Attorneys Roger Rees and Steven Steward prosecuted the case. April VanDyke of the Humboldt County Office of Conflict Counsel represented the defendant.

The pandemic led to restrictions on out-of-county witnesses that caused a 2020 trial of Mr. Tsarnas to be continued. The District Attorney appreciates the willingness of witnesses and jurors to come to court under exceptional circumstances.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2021. Mr. Tsarnas faces up to 4 years in prison.

LOCO may change this after the DA's press release but this is the incorrect information they ran when they first published their article.

This is their update:

UPDATE: A press release from District Attorney Maggie Fleming’s office contradicts this somewhat — it says that Tsarnas could face four years in prison.]

Talk about arrogance, instead of admitting they screwed up, Hank once again thinks he knows more than the DA. Unlike LOCO, leading criminal defense attorneys in LA agree with DA Fleming.

Remember the error they made in their Marci Kitchen article?

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2018/08/so-hank-thinks-his-reporter-knows-more.html?m=1