At trial confirmation yesterday, defense requested a second continuance for alleged molestor Gary Landergen's jury trial. Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell has appeared on the case for the last few hearings.
At trial confirmation yesterday, defense requested a second continuance for alleged molestor Gary Landergen's jury trial. Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell has appeared on the case for the last few hearings.
Jury trial was scheduled to start today for convicted felon, kidnapping and rape suspect Shannon Campbell. Instead the DA filed first amended information. There was no objection by defense and it was granted.
Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal said the people intend to dismiss and refile. Ms. Andrea Sullivan stated her objection. She is a private attorney and was court appointed on Campbell's case.
The 2022 case was dismissed by the People. Campbell was ordered released on that case by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Campbell was arraigned on a new case filed today and arraigned on that 2023 case. Campbell is no bail status in the 2023 case. Mr. Bernthal said the difference in charges is that a strike was added to Campbell's charges. Preliminary hearing is on 11/13. Time estimate is a full day or 8 hours.
Brandon Michael Shorey was arrested yesterday by Arcata Police Department for PC 261(a)(2) forcible rape, PC 245(a)(1) assault with a deadly weapon, PC 273.5(a) corporal injury to a spouse or cohabitant, and PC 287(c)(2)(a) sodomy.
Remember the male gunshot victim dropped off at CAL FIRE station in June 2021? That was Benjamin Scott Thomas. I covered murder suspect Shaun Patrick McMahon's preliminary hearing in 2022.
His jury trial started on 10/23 and a jury was sworn in on 10/26. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor. Deputy Conflict Counsel R.J. Leohner is McMahon's attorney. McMahon is charged with murder and a special allegation that he personally and intentionally discharged a firearm causing great bodily injury and death to Thomas.
McMahon has a prior conviction in a criminal case from 2020.
This afternoon, there is a dismissal hearing scheduled in a personal injury lawsuit personal filed by Barbara Daniel vs Klair Management Enterprises, Inc. The case settled in July. On October 13, Daniels' attorney filed a declaration.
Klair is the former owner of McDonalds' Eureka location, a Rotarian and according to open corporates, the CEO and agent of Klair Management Enterprises, Inc.
Some sources about the courts have always been accurate. Others have a smidgen of accuracy and I have learned to ignore anything I hear from such "sources."
Mike Munson and Michelle Costantine-Blackwell, proponents of the City of Eureka Housing for All and Downtown Vitality Initiative and lawsuit against the City of Eureka and are also part of Citizens for a Better Eureka and named in at least one of the four CEQA petitions filed by CBE against the City of Eureka.
Reader submitted photo and as of 7:48, this is all the information I have. According to the reader driving by, "I saw two law enforcement vehicles, I presume the other car was moved to the parking lot for the new offices for the Pierson Company because there were a lot of people gathered there. Lots of debris in the road, traffic was a crawl."
"Under California's transparency laws, an elected official who fundraises or otherwise solicits payments from one individual or organization to be given to another individual or organization may be required to report the payment. "
Of the few comments on this post, only Tracy Helard-Sumard was somewhat helpful. Most people know social media 101. Not a big deal on Facebook, the dinosaur of social media. Hopefully, there is a better security and judgement on his Humboldt County supervisor account. According to Google, research shows 59% of online users do not click on the links to they share.
Joe Mazotti did not appear for his court trial on October 4 in the lawsuit filed against Wallace and Hinz and lost bigly. The court minutes were not available until yesterday
I did a post on October 19. Joe who had been missing in action did appear via Zoom on October 20 in the second lawsuit filed against him by Itria Ventures LLC.
You can read the previous posts on the two lawsuits. Recent court documents posted below.
Today at 1:18 a.m. Eureka Police Officer Ben Altic arrested and booked Palavi Junior Vainuku on the bench warrant issued for two of his 2022 cases and two 2023 cases. I am not listing charges because I have covered the cases and his Humboldt Superior Court record in previous coverage. Vainuku had 15 cases in the local court sysyem last time I checkef. Had he shown up for court in May, he could have settled his four open court cases.
Attempted homicide suspect and assault suspect out on bail arrested for grand theft and several new charges yesterday by HCSO. Press release issued this afternoon has details. I had last reported on Miller in March but have posted about him since 2020.
Convicted molestor Daniel Sanchez previously rejected the DA's offer of 55 years. Then he took a plea the day his trial was supposed to start for a stipulated term. So sentencing today and the time he will serve is no surprise. In my last post, I wrote about the time he has wasted. Besides being a perv, he is self absorbed with no respect for anyone's time.
Today's hearing was over quickly. No other media was in court. I almost did not go because no one cares about this case and the endless continuances.
Ray Christie joined via Zoom a few minutes late and just as today's hearing had concluded. He appeared on Zoom after Judge Gregory Kreis had just noted on record that he was not present.
I had originally reported on the Gina Marie Mae Willson alleged theft from the Yurok Tribe in 2021. There has been no coverage and documents are under seal.
EPD investigating after human remains were found by Humboldt Bay Fire at an encampment near Bayshore Mall. The discovery was made during fire suppression efforts.
Forcible rape and domestic violence suspect Stephen Steed is now charged with 11 counts. On 10/23, defense motion to continue and DA motion to file amended complaint was granted by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Preliminary hearing was continued for setting and arraignment on amended complaint was continued to 11/8.
The alleged victim in this case and Steed share children. There is an ongoing family law case between the two parties.
Convicted sex offender and former court mediator Joe Hale expected release date was 12/21/23. He was still in jail when I did the September post. He was booked into jail in August. On October 13, Hale was released from custody to a medical facility.
I reported in July on Paris Ellen Hohstadt arrest for assault and a hate crime. I have been checking to see if the DA had filed charges for that arrest. No charges have been filed for that arrest or her October arrest. Last I checked was the morning of 10/27. The evening of 10/27, Hohstadt was released from jail per PC 4018.6
Yesterday, the in camera hearing for homicide suspect Destinee Rhamy's behavioral health records was continued to 11/7. Rhamy was arraigned yesterday; OR & supervised release was denied without prejudice. As I previously reported, her bail was reduced from $750,000 to $130,000. Defense is seeking mental health diversion.
Trial confirmation is scheduled for 11/27; jury trial on 12/4.
I was surprised to see alleged molestor Kevin Dikes two cases on calendar for 10/24. It was on 10/24 for appointment of counsel, continued to today and continued once more to 10/26.
Just a day after I did this post, on 10/24, Riley Clarkwalkner was acquitted by a jury and his probation violation was found not true and dismissed. If you read my last post, this case was a mess with witnesses, attorneys and jurors being admonished. There was no indication in the 10/24 court minutes that the DA will refile.
I got this information on October 6. Since Rex mentioned the sign, selling the firearm to a private buyer, I am now posting them so the public can see the public Rex Bohn statements and claims vs private language and County correspondence leading up to Rex's brag about the "#1 selling item."
For people who claim they know guns, they couldn't even spell it correctly on the sign for the basket. It is Smith & Wesson Cerakote.
You can read emails between Rex and RCRC CEO. Why were only Humboldt CAO Elishia Hayes and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell cced on certain emails?
What I said about the outcome of this case and resolution in my very first post about Clinton Monroe Ellis-Gilmore's arrest was exactly what happened. I was the first to report about the arrest, reported exclusively details and and every hearing.
I started watching this around 12:42 today as Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson was commenting on this item. Supervisor Wilson said he didn't have enough information and wasn't comfortable making an appointment. "Someone texted me," he said. Then he asked if this was just rumor or," if we are promoting firearms as auction items?"
Interim County Counsel Scott Miles' said "the RCRC delegate was acting as the County delegate" and there could be a discussion.
Richard Kuhnel was arrested last month by Eureka Police Department on a Ramey warrant. I had details about the arrest. The DA charged him with PC 246.3(a) discharge of firearm with gross negligence.
Kuhnel failed to appear for arraignment on 10/19. A bench warrant was issued for $75,000. Bail bond forfeited, A bondsman from Bill Davidson Bonds was present in court and said Kuhnel is on a 5250 hold, People filed disqualification against Judge Kelly Neel.
A 5250 hold is a 14-day long involuntary treatment in a hospital or mental health facility and an extension of a 5150.
27 year old assault suspect Riley Kai ClarkWalkner who has a criminal recird, several other charges in his 2023 case and a violation of probation case trailing rejected the People's offer and took his case to trial.
Deputy District Attorney Emily Norgaard is the prosecutor on this case. Deputy Public Defender David Nims is Clarkwalkner's attorney.
The jurors are finally deliberating. In the six days which includes jury selection, opening astatements, evidence, closing arguments and deliberation, there was more drama than a soap opera.
The last time I saw local attorney Michael Acosta was at the Courthouse was October 18. I told him that his appeal had been rejected by Humboldt Superior Court. He didn't know. Acosta checked his case but he may not have checked the section that has an past due amount for a month. On October 19, probation filed a non compliance notice for failure to report for interview.
I reported on this lawsuit in July against the City of Eureka and included court documents. The lawsuit The lawsuit alleged that the three year old minor was critically injured when a massive tree branch from a tree located at and/or near a Sequoia Park playground in Eureka crashed and struck the minor." The case was settled and a dismissal was scheduled for 10/16.
I did not know at the time of that post. It was a gut feeling; a hunch. Today, media received this message from Samantha Karges. I have known Samantha since she was a reporter, then HCSO PIO. I expressed how I felt about her leaving in the post about Brittany leaving.
I had sent an email to District Attorney Stacey Eads on October 11 about why charges had not been filed against Crista Myers, sister of Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers. Usually, I just send an email to Ms. Eads directly. I made this a formal media PRA request.
I received this response from the County today. Does it answer the question why the DA did not charge Crista Myers?
The hearing on the County's restraining order was continued to this morning at the request of attempted terroristic threats Aunna Bollman. That was the second continuance. The first one was also at Bollman's request to consult with an attorney and Commissioner Fran Greenleaf granted both.
Deputy County Counsel Thomas Chapin is opposed to another continuance. This morning, Bollman "non stipped" Commissioner Greenleaf so parties were waiting on another courtroom with a judge. The case was sent to Judge Kaleb Cockrum.
"Non stipping" is when one party refuses a stipulation to have a Commissioner act as a temporary judge. It is often used by attorneys in family law cases to non stipulate a judge.
Bollman's request for a change of venue, continuance, dismissal were denied by Judge Cockrum. Then she tried to plead the fith.
I have been reporting on Joe Mazzotti and his two lawsuits. The screenshot is from my September post. I added an update on October 11 and as of yesterday, there were still no minutes for the court trial scheduled for 10/4. There was a request for entry of default filed by Wallace and Hinz' attorney on 9/21.
Now his business is up for sale and of course good ole boy Rollin from Ming Tree is listing the property.
Attempted murder, mayhem and torture suspect Vaughn Pernell Jones was held to answer on all charges in his 2023 case after his preliminary hearing on October 17. Arraignment on information is scheduled on 11/1. His 2022 case is trailing the latest case.
As you read this detailed post and the testimony by four witnesses, look at these photos. They show you happier times and how within months, two families are now marred by tragedy.
Monday, I did a post on Deputy Public Defender Jason Sheets being assaulted by "Bongo Bob" aka Richard Needham who has 27 cases in the local court system.
Just learned that last week, Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo was attacked in a courtroom by an inmate.
Preliminary hearing was scheduled this morning for homicide suspect Jasen Coley. It seemed there would be yet another continuance but it finally proceeded shortly before lunch. My coverage includes live updates of how the day went.
Pastor Andy Broese Van Groenou was with HCSO Lt. Samuel David Williams whose preliminary hearing was scheduled this morning. There was only one courtroom available and 31 cases on the calendar. There is currently also a shortage of court reporters with either one not available and proceedings being recorded or court reporters having to cover multiple courtrooms.
The hearing was rescheduled for November 30. There were many law enforcement and others at the courthouse who hugged Williams while we were waiting for Courtroom 5 to open.