I already reported on gross vehicular manslaughter suspect's Maria Cuevas' plea deal in CR2402083.
last week. It was continued to this week since her attorney, Ms. Andrea Sullivan was in trial for the Jackson Parrott case and so Ms. Sullivan could go over all the complex details of the plea.
Once again, no media in court. It is now 8:48 a.m. David Sprague's wife was not in court today but his daughter, Jessica Sprague was in court and his other daughter Natosha Sprague appeared again via Zoom. Ms. Jennifer Dixon was in court. Ms Sullivan spoke with Cuevas before court.
Retired Judge Ksenia Tsenin has the plea form and is in chambers with Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees and Ms. Sullivan as well as attorneys for the victims; Mr. William Stein for Sprague's family and Ms. Heidi Wells for Humboldt Bar Association President Ms. Dixon.
I have covered this case and been in court for hearings when other media has been MIA. I don't have to do a new post unless necessary. Regular readers of my blog know that I value their time and I don't need to do a new post on what I have already reported and first. Regular readers know where to go for scoops, breaking news and live coverage, especially of Humboldt Superior Court.
9:06 a.m. Hearing just concluded. Still no media in court. Time waived for sentencing which is scheduled for March 10 and expected to be an hour and half long. While the victim statements are cathartic for them, I have covered the case and preliminary hearing and done exclusive reporting and there is nothing significantly new that I will learn from the victim statements so I may just add court minutes from sentencing to this post as well as any press release from the DA.
Arraignment on information and details of the charges are in the post I did last week.
Cuevas was arraigned on the information today with Count 1 being dismissed. Judge Ksenia Tsenin had to renumber the complaint in court. Judge Tsenin asked Cuevas if she needed a break when she teared up and answered "yes" to the 25 years, 8 months in prison sentence.
Restitution is reserved; fine for parole revocation is stayed but will be imposed if Cuevas violates probation. Custody credits at 15% " instead of half" Judge Tsenin told Cuevas.
Judge Tsenin went into the plea in detail and read each charge and the rights Cuevas was giving up and told Cuevas the consequences if any additional crimes were committed in the future.
People dismissed Count 1. Count 2 renumbered is now gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. Cuevas entered guilty pleas to charges and admitted special allegations.
In no way am I minimizing Cuevas' actions but in 11 years of covering Humboldt Superior Court, there are many defendants who drag out out the process and refuse to accept pleas this early in the process making victims and their family members come to court for years. There is always a chance Cuevas could withdraw her plea deal but if she does go through with sentencing; the victims should be grateful Cuevas having an experienced attorney like Ms. Sullivan and the decades of experience Judge Tsenin has on the bench and prior to that as an attorney.
I will add court minutes from the plea to this post when they are available in e court. Due to an ongoing jury trial in Courtroom 2 who are in deliberations, per Courtroom admin, minutes for Cuevas as well as the small claims case Kreis vs me will probably not be up until tomorrow.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/01/plea-deal-reached-in-cuevas-case-she-is.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/two-collisions-within-two-blocks-on-i.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/daughter-of-pedestrian-who-died-in-9th.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/several-eye-witnesses-saw-pedestrian.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/12/marsden-hearing-denied-in-maria-cuevas.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/08/besides-her-7th-and-i-case-cuevas-has.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/08/kreis-removed-from-maria-cuevas-case.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/08/da-files-declaration-in-7th-i-collision.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/07/entire-humboldt-bench-files-recusal.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/07/guess-who-may-end-up-as-maria-cuevas.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/07/maria-cuevas-charged-in-may-22-seven.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/05/humboldt-bar-association-president-and.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2024/05/based-on-preliminary-findings-it.html?m=1
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