John Chiv: The cattle don't belong to Christie; allegations against the Humboldt auction yard, texts with Sheriff Honsal and HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes' "abnormally personal interest" are all mentioned in the latest defense motion

Will the third motion be the lucky one for Ray Christie? Judge Gregory Elvine-Kreis has denied two motions so far. If the People chose to file a response; the defense will file a reply so we will have to wait and see what happens.

Deputy District Attorney Steven Steward said he saw the motion this afternoon and will let me know when the People have made a decision.

Yesterday, Christie's attorney, Mr. Rick Richmond, filed a motion in limine to exclude evidence seized during the October 13, 2021 raid or, alternatively, for an evidentiary hearing regarding the same. Evidence Code 403 is cited in the defense documents.

The cattle don't belong to Christie; allegations against the Humboldt auction yard, texts sent to Sheriff Honsal and HCSO Deputy Travis Mendes' "abnormally personal interest in trying to bring Christie down" are all part of the latest defense motion.

What is surprising to me is that no one from Humboldt Auction yard has responded to these allegations. I will publish any statement and response from them. In addition to what I have reported, Avelar and others have made comments on social media about other ranchers and the auction yard. Avelar has posted videos on Facebook.

The four documents filed are: Motion in Limine to Exclude Oct 13, 2021 Raid Evidence; Declaration of Rick Richmond in support of the motion with exhibits; Declaration of Mario Avelar in support of the motion with Exhibits and a [Proposed] Order granting motion in limine.

Mario Avelar states that after the March 2018 raid all of Ray Christie's properties were leased by him and the animals were under his care and that several people were aware of this including HCSO and state agents. There are other statements referring to all livestock, especially cattle, being under Avelar's care.

There are text messages and videos between Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal and Avelar. In a text exchange about Christie purchasing Jack Honsal's pig, Sheriff Honsal sends a text that he knows Avelar is friends with Christie. Avelar asks what do you mean by that?

Obviously, Sheriff Honsal and CDFA agent Chad Parker are aware of what Avelar is trying to do. Others maybe as well.

At the January 7 hearing, Parker said he knew Avelar going on a"fishing expedition for you". Parker was referring to Mr. Richmond,

There are videos and texts about the Humboldt auction yard and other texts exchanged with Sheriff Honsal. The texts are selected excerpts and not the complete conversations.

I have done previous coverage about Christie buying two of Jack Honsal's pigs. I also did a post regarding the Humboldt auction yard and claims about conditions of cows from different sources.

Avelar put his name in a court declaration. Some others commented on Facebook. I put my name on all my posts. Why haven't others who spoke to me about the Humboldt Auction yard and about other ranchers had the guts to put what they claim in a court declaration?

A hearing on this third motion is scheduled for February 7. The People received copies yesterday. Judge Elvine-Kreis is currently presiding over the Ulisses Rodriguez trial so the date could be rescheduled.

Cornell Law:

Rule 403. Excluding Relevant Evidence for Prejudice, Confusion, Waste of Time, or Other Reasons

"The court may exclude relevant evidence if its probative value is substantially outweighed by a danger of one or more of the following: unfair prejudice, confusing the issues, misleading the jury, undue delay, wasting time, or needlessly presenting cumulative evidence."

Motion: