Today is the first time I saw former Security National employee, former Humboldt Planning Commission member and former County Assessment Appeals Board member Brian Mitchell since I reported on his arrest for domestic violence in September.
Mitchell was in court this morning with his mother. Deputy District Attorney Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor on the case. Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell is Mitchell's attorney. The motion to amend complaint was taken "off calendar according to e court. The preliminary hearing was scheduled to start at 3:15.
At 3:32, in a last minute twist, Mr. Boozari informed Judge Steven Steward the victim, Anthony Sjoquist was subpoenaed to be in court at 10:15 a.m. "He didn't arrive until 11 a.m.," said Mr. Boozari. "I attempted to resolve the case. The victim told Arcata police he didn't want to pursue charges. He told our office the same thing. I told him to be here at 3:15. I have been trying to reach him since 2:45 p.m. It is now 3:32 p.m. The People are moving to dismiss the matter at this time."
At defense's request, the protective order was terminated and the bail bond was exonerated. Once again, no other local media was present for a high profile case.
After the dismissal, Brian was cordial and said hello to me. I spoke with him and his mother briefly. Brian holds no grudges and said he had not read my coverage. I asked if he wanted me to send him what I wrote previously. Both of us decided on our own to wait and speak after this case had concluded. It is not easy to cover someone you have known for years, prior to the blog and know information that is not reflected in arrest records or a complaint. If anything, it is harder but I did my job objectively.
As I mentioned previously, I have known Brian for years. It was good to finally speak with him today. Brian is going to take a few days to think and may make an official statement. Whether he does or not, what he shared with me is confidential and appreciated.
If you have folowed me since I started this blog or even recently, you know I don't do selective coverage. I don't care who you are or what your "status" is in the community. As the 2024 presidential election as well as local elections have shown for the two decades I have been here; "mainstream media" is overrated and ineffective. When I was a local reporter in a more traditional format in Philadelphia and Atlanta, the style may have been different but the trust the community had in me and the strength of the relationships, scooping my competition and hard work is the same.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/10/former-planning-commissioner-claims-he.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/09/former-sn-employee-and-humboldt.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/09/brian-mitchell-arrested-for-domestic.html?m=1
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