John Chiv: Joe Hale pleads guilty, admits to all charges including filming a minor who he knew through Temple Beth El

Jun 5, 2023

Joe Hale pleads guilty, admits to all charges including filming a minor who he knew through Temple Beth El

Once again, no other media was there for former CWS employee and former court mediator Joe Hale's arraignment.. Even Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman did not know there was going to be a plea today until the last minute, everything was so messed up as usual in Humboldt Superior Court.

Hale ended up entering a guilty plea to all 4 counts. Sentencing is tomorrow but three of the victims made statements, the complaint was amended, one victim was a minor. Two incidents happened to victims Hale knew through his Beth El connections, one at a Seder meal, one outside the Temple, one involving a minor.

I feel sick from the minimizing of degeneracy by Humboldt Superior Court administration; utter disgust because Humboldt Superior Court administration manages to sink lower every day. I will not rush documenting what Hale put these girls and women through. These young girls and women are brave to stand up and share what they did in open court.

There was an issue with the complaint filing because as usual Humboldt files things not according to law. Imagine that Humboldt doing stuff that isn't according to how the rest of California courts do.

The victims were in tears. One could not even read her statement. Their words were powerful. One victim who only went to Passover meal at her grandparents and did not even know Hale was filmed under the dinner table while Hale was sitting between his wife and her grandmother. One of the victims said she was now distrustful of men and cannnot wear what she normally would. The court clerk still working there said she trustedHale, thought he was a friend, she shared information with him that was personal and Hale violating her trust and privacy triggered her because she is a rape abd sexual assault survivor. This court clerk has PTSD, missed work for a month and has panic attacks entering the Courthouse."If he had assaulted me, it would be a felony and fired. The bruises would have healed by now. Instead he is charged with a misdemeanor and got to resign."

I have known this court clerk for 10 years. She used to smile, exchange pleasantries. When I saw her at arraignment last week, I realize now why she has been so quiet, distant and I see first and the toll it took on her. I could not even offer her words of support because Joe Hale has traumatized her so much and stolen that opportunity. I have always given the victims in the cases I cover their space but more so in cases like this one.

And the minor who called out Joe Hale's wife is correct. No shame from Hale or his wife in or outside court. I heard them laughing as they exited the courthouse. Three victims had to make their statements today because they had already come to court twice and there was yet another continuance and rescheduling because Hale's wife could not be there for sentencing on Thursday and everyone else, including the Judge had to reschedule to accomodate the woman who is standing by a perv preying on women by abusing his position of power and trust. Hear this in the victims' own words when I add to this post. I know more than I care to about the Hales' sex life from things he shared with CWS co workers. I worked with Hale at CWS. I brought up Hale's Beth El connection long before anything was said on record today. Hale admitted that he did this for his sexual gratification. According to a letter submitted to the court, Hale is on psychotherapy now and going to Sex Addicts Anonymous.

Hundreds of stories will never see the light due to the usual Humboldt injustice so that the higher ups in Humboldt Superior Court can be protected and have no accountability for their lack of action.

On record, what I wrote about the former court clerk catching Hale in the act was confirmed. As I reported previously, she was dating Humboldt Deputy DA Ian Harris and is Jane Doe 1. She is now living and working out of state and appeared by Zoom. Three of the other victims were in court and made statements today. All of them expressed solidarity with the other victims in the complaint as well as the unnamed and the many victims who were not included in the charges.

Hale could get away with a minimum of 2 days in jail and not even serve the jail.sentence for each count. Will he even pay the $1,000 jail fine or victim restitution. Whether he registers as a sex offender is up to the Court. Since it is his first offense and he is charged with misdemeanors, he will be a Tier One offender.

Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman was assigned the case. Mendocino Assistant Deputy District Attorney Dale Trigg is the prosecutor for this case. Mr. Paul Gallegos is Hale's attorney.

Judge Moorman pointed out that the complaint was not signed. Mr. Trigg explained that in Humboldt, the signed copy stays with the DA. The e court copy is not signed. Judge Moorman said that is not according to the law. The signed copy needs to be public record. Mr. Trigg had provided signed copies so that issue had to be fixed today by the court clerk.

The second issue that had to be dealt with was that Count 2 was alleged against a minor. Jane Doe 2 was 17 years old when the incident happened. That makes it a 12 month misdemeanor sentence instead of a 6 month misdemeanor sentence. Mr. Trigg said that while the charge was still PC 647 (j) (2) violation, it was punishable by 647 (k) (2). Also, I looked up the code and the fine is $2,000 instead of $1,000.

There was discussion about entering Jane Doe 2 DOB and notification of discovery and the complaint was amended to add that DOB. Judge Moorman went over the plea, potential sentences, statute of limitations, this conviction possibly impeding Hale's ability to hold professional licenses with Hale before taking his plea.

Stating the factual basis, Mr. Trigg said, "On June 29, 2002, Jane Doe 1 who was a former court clerk said Hale came to visit her at work. She noticed he was holding his cell phone near her thigh. Jane Doe 1 then alerted HR. Ultimately, it was brought to the attention of DA investigators. The DA investigators took custody of the cell phone and arrested him. Over the course of three years, there were 200 pictures, 6 total victims. Four were identified by name." Two could not be identified by name.

Jane Doe 2 was photographed outside Temple Beth El where a Shavuot ceremony was happening. Mr. Trigg confirmed what I reported months ago, Hale is a member. Previously, he was listed on the board of Temple Beth-El. Now the website is restricted and there are different Board of Directors showing in a Google search.

Jane Doe 3 was filmed under the table at a Seder meal at her grandparent's house. They knew Hale. Jane Doe 4 is a Humboldt Superior Court Clerk and there were numerous photos of her that Hale took at work.

Judge Moorman said she received a number of letters.

Jane Doe 2 was the first to make a statement today. She is in school and did not want to come back tomorrow.

"This feels pretty unfair that we are taking Hale's wife's schedule into.consideration," said Jane Doe 2. "We already had to come in twice. I don't plan to come to court to see Hale again."

"Joseph Hale knew me and took advantage of me," said Jane Doe 2. "He took advantage of me at a sacred place. I feel less safe." Referring to the last continuance, she stated what we all felt,"To be turned away with no consideration or explaination." Jane Doe 2 requested that Hale be ordered to register and spend a year in jail.

Jane Doe 3 was in tears and could not read her statement. She apologized and a Victim Witness Advocate read her statement. "This has deeply violated my privacy and trust. I do not know Joseph Hale well. He knew my grandparents well. Joseph Hale and his wife came over for dinner." Hale was sitting between his wife and Jane Doe 3's grandmother when he filmed her under the table.

"After learning about these images, I struggle to wear what I would normally wear. To have a grown man with a wife who is a friend of my grandparents do this. I don't see men the same; I am distrustful." This has affected Jane Doe 3's relationship with her grandparents and considering going to Temple Beth El. Her grandparents are very religious and she was open to learning more about their faith. Hale tainted that for her.

"I don't think Mr. Hale thought he would ever be caught," said Jane Doe 4. "I don't think being caught is enough of a deterent. "

"I am a career court clerk," said Jane Doe 4. She has worked in Humboldt Superior Court before Hale started working there.

"I thought of Mr. Hale as a friend,"said Jane Doe 4. "While pretending to be my friend, he took pictures of me under my skirt in this Courthouse. I am a rape and sexual assault survivor. This was triggering. A place I work at no longer feels safe."

"Upskirting is not about sexual gratification; it is about power," said Jane Doe 4.

Jane Doe 4 has PTSD, missed work for a month and has panic attacks entering the Courthouse."If he had assaulted me, it would be a felony and fired. The bruises would have healed by now. Instead he is charged with a misdemeanor and got to resign."