James Leach was arrested on January 26 2023, January 7 2023 and December 8 2022. Two cases have already been filed against him for the January 7 arrest by EPD and December 8 arrest by HCSO.
Arraignment for both these cases scheduled for February 17 in the afternoon was continued to February 21. One of these cases has a second arraignment date of 3/10 which was vacated.
Leach has posted bail after every arrest and is out of custody. As of yesterday, the DA had not filed a motion to join both cases or a request for protective order.
The January 26 arrest was after a standoff with EPD on 5th Street in Eureka. Leach engaged in this behavior after the court granted a two year gun violence restraining order on January 13 which was filed by EPD and two arrests.
The alleged victim in the HCSO case is a local attorney. The alleged victim in the EPD case is one of his neighbors. Why is Leach not on a no bail status after the third arrest?
The buck stops with Sheriff William Honsal. Ultimately, he sets policy. Humboldt jails allow repeat offenders, including convicted sex offenders to be released on O.R repeatedly. Honsal needs to spend less time on T.V. appearances and more time doing his job and protecting the public.
Leach was arrested for a DUI in 2013 and has other cases in the Humboldt Superior Court system.
I have already reported on the charges for the two cases, details of the incident, search warrant and restraining order in previous coverage.
2/21: Arraignment finally completed. Bench warrant had been issued but was withdrawn. Ms. Kathleen Bryson made a special appearance for arraignment. 3/14 Confirmation of counsel is on 3/14; preliminary hearing on 4/11.
Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm is the prosecutor for the case. Deputy DA Rees appeared on the case for the People at arraignment. After the preliminary hearing, the DA plans to file a motion to consolidate the cases.
3/14: Public Defender appointed.
4/11: Defense requested continuance since Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo is out. Leach failed to appear in court, bench warrant was issued.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/01/suspect-on-5th-yesterday-has-gun.html?m=1
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