John Chiv: Technical issue prevented Christie attorneys from appearing today

I just heard from Ray Christie's attorney, Mr. Rick Richmond that Judge Gregory Elvine-Kreis "will redo the hearing today at 1:30." Mr. Richmond told me after the hearing that he and his associate, Ms. Caroline Glennie-Smith were waiting in Department 3 waiting room in Zoom since 8:25 a.m.

Mr. Richmond and his associates, Ms. Glennie-Smith and Ms. Jodie Koo from the Larson Law Firm will appear via Zoom this afternoon. Technical issue with court prevented the defense from appearing this morning.

The hearing being rescheduled was confirmed by the courtroom clerk Matt, a minute later after I did my post. He was kind enough to let me know and looked for other members of the media to inform them as well. Judge Elvine-Kreis gave Matt the credit he deserves because Matt discovered the technical issue.

So everyone's afternoon and more time wasted due to technical issues with Humboldt Superior Court. It happens and has with attorneys and defendants. Had Judge Elvine-Kreis let Matt call defense, which he asked, we all would not be wasting hours this afternoon on a busy day. It may not be your job to manage the Larson Law Firm, Judge Elvine-Kreis but it is your job to make sure that remote appearances and your courtroom functions properly. You are the Humboldt Presiding Judge.

After hearing update: A lot of what was said this afternoon I have already reported on in prior coverage.

May 9 date is vacated. In a flip flop, Judge Elvine-Kreis denied the People's motion to continue but set a May 10 trial setting date and a setting date for a 402 evidentiary hearing date. This means the People did not get the continuance requested but they did get extra time which is until May 6 to file their response to the defense motion. So, it was not a complete denial. On May 10, an update from Christie's doctors is expected.

With just dates being set on May 10, I will add any update to this post.

The evidentiary hearing is not a win for the public. Whether it is for the People or the defense, we shall see. It will basically be what is already stated in the motions and responses.

It wasn't stated this afternoon if the June 10 date set earlier this morning was vacated. Court records do not show the June 10 date.

Mr. Richmond made a statement in court about facts and "everything else is lawyer talk." Speaking of facts, Darrell Christie and Joe Manni were not witnesses at the first trial. I don't recall Manni or Mario Avelar being there at all. The only person who was there was Darrell Christie for the first trial. Perhaps Judge Elvine-Kreis should have looked over witness lists from both trials prior to today's hearing.

Judge Elvine-Kreis changes his rulings arbitrarily. His rulings on the last two motions have been against the People. This case needs a Judge who wants to put in the time to read what is filed, doesn't base his decisions on how many hours and days it will take for a hearing, knows the law including what can be appealed and whose rulings are not dictated by his Napolean complex.