John Chiv: 20 year old rape suspect held to answer, Judge Cockrum denies defense request to dismiss case in the interest of justice

Oct 17, 2023

20 year old rape suspect held to answer, Judge Cockrum denies defense request to dismiss case in the interest of justice

20 year old rape suspect Ethan Halseth was held to as charged after his preliminary hearing on 10/11. DA chose to only charge Halseth with rape and not sexual battery.

Defense motion to reduce Count 1 PC 261 (a) (4), rape of an unconscious victim was denied by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Defense wanted charges dismissed in the interest of justice which is PC 1385.

Deputy District Attorney Jessica Acosta is the prodecutor on this case. Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian is Halseth's attorney.

Arraignment on information is on 10/25. Halseth posted bond and can appear via Zoom. Trial confirmation and taking thumbprint scheduled on 11/27 and jury trial on 12/11. He has to be present for both those dates.

Today, a hearing was scheduled in Halseth's domestic violence family law case. TRO continued to 11/15 where a two hour hearing is scheduled at the request of Mr. Edward Schrock who is Halseth's attorney in the family law case. That hearing was continued to continued by court to 12/15.

10/17 minutes (domestic violence case):

11/15 court minutes (domestic violence case):

10/25: Halseth was arraigned in his criminal case. He was ordered to appear on 11/27 for taking thumbprint. Trial confirmation was rescheduled for 3/7/24 and jury trial for 3/18/24.

11/27: Fingerprint form completed in rape case.

12/15 in his domestic violence and family law case, while Judge Neel denied the petition for the TRO; she is aware there is a criminal protective order; the petitioner and mother was given sole legal and physical custody of the minor child; Halseth can have reasonable visitation arranged through a third party and matter cannot be removed from Humboldt County unless there are further orders from the Court or written agreement by the mother.

Next hearing in family law case is 2/15/24. With TRO denied, I will not be updating the family law case anymore unless it is related to the criminal case.

12/15 court minutes (family law case):

3/7/24: In his criminal case, jury trial was confirmed today. Trial assignment on 3/15.

3/15: At trial assignment, defense motion to continue was granted since Halseth's assigned Deputy Public Defender is in another trial. The 3/18/24 date was vacated. Trial confirmation on 6/3; jury trial on 6/10.

6/3: Motion to continue granted; possible resolution. 6/10 date vacated. Trial setting on 8/1/24.

8/1: Judge Kaleb Cockrum did not accept informal agreement stating this is not an appropriate case for such as resolution. Disposition reset on 8/1/25.