98 cents worth of egg theft by veteran results in no plea, case to go to trial

While sitting at trial assignment for two other cases, I heard arguments on a defense motion to dismiss Randall McCoy's case. 

Judge Joyce Hinrichs heard arguments in the morning, looked up case law, recalled the case and denied the motion to dismiss. The case is going to trial scheduled to start 4/25. Judge Hinrichs also ruled there is no freedom of religion issue and McCoy had to be thumbprinted.

I am posting both Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo's Russo and Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm's arguments to show how why sometimes cases that could be resolved months ago, waste court resources and go to trial  for multiple reasons. 

The original charge in McCoy's 2023 case is robbery. The People made two offers to resolve this case for misdemeanors.; Both were rejected.

According to Mr. Russo, McCoy put eggs worth 98 cents in his pocket, proceeded to the WINCO register, paid for other items. As he exited the store,

a WINCO security guard followed him, did not identify himself. There was an alteraction when security tried to get the eggs but no injuries.

"The People offered petty theft but he would not be eligible for probation. He has served 96 days in jail." Mr. Russo did not explain why McCoy was ineligible for probation. Mr. Russo said McCoy is facing 5 years in prison for the felony as charged.

McCoy, a veteran lost services at Nation's Finest due to being charged in this 2023 case. Mr. Russo asked the case be dismissed in the interest of justice.

Mr. Timm said, "There is no interest in justice in letting Mr. McCoy go after he victimized our store and community."

Mr. Timm mentioned that he made offers to resolve the case. McCoy has multiple failures to appear. He said there are multiple witnesses, one willing to travel from Oregon to testify. Mr. Timm said the security guard identified himself. WINCO security guard said McCoy could go if he returned the eggs but McCoy decided to use force against them.

Posted below are the charges for the case that is going to trial. Count 1 involves Antony Besselieu-Hill. I am sure this post will set his mother off again because she thinks her precious boy is never to blame. Yet, somehow Besselieu-Hill is involved in yet another altercation in Eureka with a case full of drama. The screenshot is McCoy's previous case.

Besselieu-Hill testified in the Brandon Watson trial and was involved in a fight at the Pearl with Watson. My own experience with him watching him testify and how he comes across on the stand makes me wonder if that is one of the reasons the People tried to resolve this case. I respect Mr. Timm as a prosecutor and he does not get to pick his witnesses or alleged victim. 

I do not know  McCoy but based on his booking photo, one has to wonder what part he played in the altercation.

I do know enough of Besselieu-Hill to know he is an arrogant, over the top, wanna be cop with a temper and ego and we have plenty of such people hired for private security in Humboldt. Rich who works at security at the Courthouse is one of them. These men have no business being given any power. Not every single one of them but most are angry white, locals, appear uneducated and who are mad at the world for their loser lives and use their pathetic "security" jobs to be abusive. 

If Besselieu-Hill is involved, the jury will see he had a part in escalating a situation over eggs worth $98 cents. I do not believe he just nicely asked for the eggs to be returned. 

There is video so a jury can see how and why the situation escalated.  McCoy needs to face some conseqences and should resolve it by pleading to petty theft. McCoy has already served 96 days in jail. Peoplecwith more serious charges and lengthy records get time served and released on probation.

I am adapting a quote Ms. Andrea Sullivan used in her closing argument. There are no heroes or villains, just immature adults making bad decisions.

I have linked one related post about Besselieu-Hill . I am not going to link every post on Watson. If you want to read in detail Besselieu-Hill's testimony, look up Watson posts using the search feature.

4/24 update: It seems over the weekend, McCoy realized it is in his best interest to resolve the case. The People's offer of PC 242 battery and PC 488 petty theft had been rejected. In court yesterday, defense offered PC 415 disturbing the peace and PC 488. 

Mr. Timm said, "I am stuck on the 242." Mr. countered with PC 240.

Mr. Russo spoke with McCoy. Mr. Timm spoke with DA Eads.

The case resolved with added Count 3 PC 240 assault and added Count 4 PC 488. McCoy could be charged with trespassing if he enters Winco. McCoy got 99 days of custody credits with 98 conduct credits for a total of 197 days with time served.

Related post:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/04/those-who-create-drama-need-to-do.html?m=1#more