John Chiv: Former Humboldt CO gets 9 years in prison,$350,000 restitution

Sep 1, 2022

Former Humboldt CO gets 9 years in prison,$350,000 restitution

Former Humboldt correctional officer, Central Station shooting perpetrator Sean Timothy O'Brien was sentenced today to 9 years in prison with a stipulated agreement of $350,000 restitution. Once again, Judge Kelly Neel stated the penal code on record which makes O'Brien ineligible for probation.

Victim Ethan Jacobs was not in court. I covered a lot of exclusive details in previous coverage from patrons seated next to Jacobs.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for the case. Ms. Kathleen Bryson is O'Brien's attorney.

The sentencing took an hour. O'Brien could have received 10 years which was the cap agreed by the People. His maximum exposure could have been up to 19 years if he had not resolved the case.

Ms. Bryson referenced the Marci Kitchen case and saying, "This is most likely a death sentence for my client." Ms. Bryson claimed some of the Humboldt correctional officers let inmates know that O'Brien was a former CO. Ms. Bryson at first said that O'Brien

"There is no justification; just violence for the sake of violence," said Mr. Rees. "This is a Sean O'Brien problem." Mr. Rees said this in response to Ms. Bryson's remarks about alcoholism and gun violence sentences. "A lot of people have guns; they don't bring them into bars. A lot of people have alcohol problems, they don't bring them into bars."

"I have sympathy for you," said Judge Neel. "I understand alcoholism is a disease. " She referred to the loss of his two siblings mentioned by Ms. Bryson. Judge Neel said that Ms. Bryson brought up the Marci Kitchen case. "She pleaded exactly to what she did."

"There is no explaination for what happened that day," said Judge Neel. "Going and retrieving firearms and shooting someone was completely unprovoked."

The People asked that O'Brien be sentenced to 10 years in prison. The mid term sentence of 7 years for Count 1 attempted murder and three years for the firearm enhancement.

Judge Neel said O'Brien was 54 years old with no criminal record. He had enrolled in the military but was unable to serve due to a quick medical discharge. The final sentence was the low term of 5 years for attempted murder and 5 years for the firearm enhancement to be served consecutively.

O'Brien was in a red jumpsuit which means he is in admin segregation. which means he is isolated from all other inmates.

"I was fired for what I did," said O'Brien. "I don't know what I have done wrong. I apologize to the family."

The incident was captured on camera and defense did not dispute O'Brien shot Jacobs. O'Brien said he has no memory of the incident.

Ms. Bryson tried to dispute restitution today but there had already been a stipulation at the time of the plea and Judge Neel agreed with Mr. Rees. Defense can file or address it through "other recourses."