John Chiv: Deputy DA's neighbor's request for a restraining order sounds more like two entitled parties wasting police and court time over Fortuna immature neighbor drama

Nov 2, 2023

Deputy DA's neighbor's request for a restraining order sounds more like two entitled parties wasting police and court time over Fortuna immature neighbor drama

(one of the exhibits)

I reported earlier this month that Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers request for a restraining order against her neighbors Jason Paines and Deven Thompson was denied by Judge Timothy Canning.

Thompson filed a request against Myers, her boyfriend Alexander Santiago and Myers' parents. There was a hearing on that last Friday which was continued to November 13 because Thompson wants Judge Canning to hear this case and because Thompson claimed Santiago was avoiding service.

Judge Kelly Neel advised both parties that the burden of proof is high and encouraged them to sit down and discuss the matter.

Deven, big mistake. From last week's court minutes, you turned down Judge Neel's advice, her offer to give Santiago a courtesy copy in court. Why?

Judge Neel is very fair. She knows the criteria for granting this order. Judge Neel has presided over criminal, civil and family matters. She listens to both sides and can see through the bs. There is no guarantee Judge Canning will grant your request.

Neighbor situations are very stressful and no one is diminishing any perceived threats but if annoying, verbal abuse where two parties are escalating the situation was the criteria, most of Humboldt would have civil restraining orders against each other. There is a lot more to the situation between the Myers, Thompson and Paines that was not covered in either request. The reactions by both parties are over the top and more suited for a reality talk show than a court hearing. Many Humboldt court cases meet that criteria.

I have had some conversations with Deven but that was about Myers' restraining order request and while she was animated, she was respectful and appreciative of my covering that restraining order request. If she suddenly changes her behavior after this post and gets aggro or abusive with me; then she will prove that rather than a legitimate request for a restraining order, this is two entitled parties wasting police and court time over Fortuna immature neighbor drama. Given Deven's claims and this request for restraining order and my previous coverage on Ms. Myers request, any abusive, harrassing emails, calls or behavior are relevant to the reporting on these requests for restraining orders.

I have posted the request, attachments which include two photos and two of the Fortuna Police Department reports.

At 2 p.m., I heard from Deven and it was a very respectful email about my post. With her permission, I am including it in the post. Deven did confirm my hunch about why she wanted Santiago served instead of getting a courtesy copy. And she has a valid point about Humboldt court's re scheduling so Judge Canning who is in trial could hear the case.

Hey John I seen your latest post; I have no hard feelings the only reason I denied him access to a copy is because if I was served in front of my neighbors by the sheriffs I believe he also needs the same, regardless, all three were served including his wife and they attempted three times and he was avoiding service, so I just wanted the judge to note that and also I understand that I need a lot of proof in order to obtain the restraining orders but this is mostly me just going against Alex at this point because California civil code 1708.8 states so you can’t come onto someone’s private property/ airspace and film that depicts me in a certain image. I’ll attach it below. The only reason I want the same judge to proceed with this is because he’s seen the YouTube video, there is no talking to these people like the other judge requested. They’re violent and the harassment never stopped so it’s just in my opinion better to go with the same judge that we had. It’s not that I’m wasting the courts time. I just don’t want to relive another two hours of BS and having to tell somebody a whole other situation when the first judge has already witnessed their behavior and lies.

And honestly, I think it’s kind of crazy that they gave us a whole different judge and wouldn’t proceed with the same so in my opinion, they kind of wasted my time and it could’ve easily been rescheduled but that’s all I have to say. Have a great day.

Also, the papers for the sheriffs have been resubmitted and they will attempt three more times, so we will see if he avoids the service once again.