Sentencing for former HCSO Lt. Sam Williams and is going on currently. There are more supporters here for Lt. Williams; about 14 people including his daughter, fellow church members including Pastor Andy and his wife Cindy and Brian, an investigator from the Public Defender's office who previously worked for Probation. That side of the courtroom was full. More people would have been to support Williams. Some law enforcement had other work obligations including waiting to be called for preliminary hearings.
I reported previously that Deputy Public Defender David Celli has filed a motion to reduce the felony to a misdemeanor. That motion was denied by Judge Timothy Canning.
Williams' wife and her lover were in court. Sitting with them was Victim Witness Advocate who has to be there. A probation representative was sitting on that side. Other than those four people, that side was empty. Deputy District Attorney Emily Norgaard who was the prosecutor for the preliminary hearing briefly stopped in today.
Williams has lost his job and his pension.
Instead of the recommendation of 120 days in jail and felony, Judge Canning sentenced Williams to 90 days in jail and two years felony probation. Williams is eligible for SWAP. Commit to jail date is 5/18.
The DA issued another brief press release at 5:14 p.m. which leaves out the SWAP fact. It omits the crucial fact that Williams walked in and saw his wife in bed with her lover. This after several attempts to talk with the lover who had a firearm.
It is also very disrespectful and unprofessional to refer to a former HCSO Lt as a Mckinleyville man in the DA press release. Doesn't surprise me given the petty, unprofessionalism that has always existed and increased in the cliquey DA's office for the past two decades. That is why Humboldt keeps losing decent prosecutors. I am disgusted with the DA's office. Retrying a 2020 case out of ego while several alleged molestors and predators with worse cases have yet to go to preliminary hearing or jury trial and new arrests every day. What about those victims and survivors?
Since I did my last post and this post, I have received many messages, texts and in person from people thanking me because they support Williams. These are people from all walks of life and people who vote. The DA's office's office does remember the results of this March 2024 election. Those who get paid by the taxpayers should not under estimate the power of the people, their memories of injustice and abuse of power in the criminal justice system and that includes more than the DA's office.
DA Press Release (issued 5:14 p.m.):
On March 29, 2024, a Humboldt County jury convicted 47 years-old Samuel Williams of felonious criminal threats and brandishing a firearm. During early morning hours of March 24, 2023, Williams made an unannounced entry into the McKinleyville home of his estranged wife wherein she and her male friend were located. Without provocation, Williams threatened to kill the friend and pointed his firearm at the unarmed man causing him to fear for his life.
Today, during the sentencing hearing the Honorable Judge Timothy Canning placed Williams on formal supervised probation for a period of 2 years and ordered Williams to serve 90 days in jail for his crimes.
The case was prosecuted by DDA Candace Myers with assistance from DA Investigator Steve Dunn. Williams was represented by local attorney David Celli.
District Attorney Stacey Eads extends her gratitude to the jurors for their time and service.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/04/the-sam-williams-jury-did-not-want-to.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/04/hcso-lt-sam-williams-found-guilty-of.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/jurors-did-not-hear-about-lt-williams.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/guns-infidelity-and-law-enforcement.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/03/motions-in-limine-and-jury-selection.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/01/hcso-lt-trial-continued-after.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/hey-brian-if-you-ever-contact-danielle.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/12/video-of-lt-sam-williams-walking-in-on.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/06/hcso-lt-sam-williams-was-allegedly-with.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/04/alleged-victim-in-hcso-lt-incident-has.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/04/hcso-detective-arrested-for-criminal.html?m=1
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