John Chiv: People want Hale back in jail, Hale says he can't afford an attorney

Feb 16, 2024

People want Hale back in jail, Hale says he can't afford an attorney

Convicted upskirter, sex offender and former court mediator Joseph Hale has a hearing for a motion to recommit to jail scheduled on 2/16 which was already continued once and defense is requesting another motion to continue today. People filed the motion to recommit to jail on 1/12/24.

Hale was represented by Mr. Paul Gallegos; now Public Defender's office has been appointed. On 1/24/24, Hale said he cannot afford an attorney and was released from custody for medical reasons.

Mendocino Deputy DA Dale Trigg was specially assigned as prosecutor because Hale worked for the local courts. Mendocino Judge Ann Moorman was assigned the case for the same reasons.

Recommit is a legal term when a person is sent back to jail because he has broken the parole or terms of his case.

Hale is here with his wife. It was continued to 2/23. Hale is already trying to worm his way out of finishing his jail term by claiming he has medical appointments.

No other media was here. Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClurg has been assigned the Hale case. Deputy Public Defender Ben McLaughlin appeared on his behalf with Hale. A victim witness advocate was in court, DA Investigator Ryan Hill and one of the victims.

The motion for continuance was faxed incorrectly to the Humboldt District Attorney's office before today's hearing. Mr. Trigg received it yesterday.

Judge Moorman chastised the Humboldt County Public Defender's office and said that they need to correctly serve the prosecutor who is assigned this case at his office. Mr. McLaughlin tried to save face for his office saying the PD's office thought Humboldt County DA's office was the prosecuting agency. Judge Moorman was not having it. "It has been apparent from the entire case" that Mr. Trigg was the prosecutor from the beginning.

The PD's office requested the continuance because Mr. McClurg is at a conference. Mr. Trigg objected and said this was not good cause. "At the last hearing, they appointed the Public Defender. They chose to assign an attorney out of the office. Mr. McClurg met with Mr. Hale on February 8."

Mr. Trigg requested that if Judge Moorman grant the defense request, it be for just one week. Mr. McLaughlin agreed. The hearing was continued to February 23.

Judge Moorman said, "This is the last continuance on this issue. I am revoking probation so time can be tolled."

Last October, I reported, "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."

"According to a court records,the last order in the system was on June 20 from Probation. I already reported on the 8/22 notice for failure to pay. There was additional information added to the court system after I posted on his sentencing which I was present for in court. It explains Hale being released to a medical facility."

1/24/24 court minutes: