"I saw smoke and blue lights to my left, a lady was holding a baby and was scared. I saw a truck crashed at the intersection."

 

Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward is presiding over Brandon and Jesse Widmark's jury trial. Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for the trial. Ms. Andrea Sullivan represents Jesse Widmark. Ms. Rebecca Linkous is Brandon Widmark's attorney.

The People's witnesses in the last couple of days are the deputies who pursued the Widmark brothers as they fled all over Eureka on April 18, 2023 terrifying those in the truck with them which include a baby, damaging property and endangering the community.

HCSO Deputies Raleigh Willoughby, Chad Crotty, Luke Mathieson and HCSO Sgt. Conan Moore were all at Harris and Dolbeer when the suspects were finally apprehended. All officers involved were cleared of wrongdoing.

Today, Sgt. Moore testified. The  People rested their case.

If you read my blog, I have done a few posts on Moore about lawsuits, settlements, excessive force and being involved in other OIS. My personal opinion of Sgt. Moore is different than the two other deputies mentioned above. However, in this instance, Sgt. Moore's actions in any other incidents are irrelevant. 

Brandon and Jesse Widmark created a dangerous situation, pointed weapons at law enforcement, endangered civilians and it is time for them to show they have a pair, own up to what they did and take the consequences.

I cannot recall any interaction with Deputy Crotty before seeing him testify. He is a co-defendant with Sgt. Moore in one lawsuit. I have reported on that Greenleaf Nurseries lawsuit.

I know Deputies Mathieson and Willoughby from the courthouse and the field and think highly of them. They have been commended. 

Yesterday, Deputy Crotty testified. Ms. Linkous only had one question for him. Ms. Sullivan had none. After Deputy Crotty's testimony on 2/27, you could hear a pin drop in the courtroom. The jurors had no questions for him. 

You may have watched the video HCSO released but it isn't the same as sitting in a courtroom with the one of officers involved describing the scene and the man who got shot, Jesse Widmark, shaking his leg and body uncontrollably. 

Deputy Crotty testimony gave a rare insight into the anxiety and trauma officers experience when they have to shoot someone pointing a gun at them and in an area where innocent civilians are around. 

Deputy Crotty didn't look at Brandon and Jesse Widmark except for a brief second to identify Jesse Widmark. I have seen witnesses do this but never law enforcement. 

You had to be in the courtroom to fully grasp what it was to watch a grown man; a law enforcement officer fight back tears as he answered Mr. Rees' questions about what happened and watch the video. I could tell it had an impact on the jurors.

"If we go to prison, we can stick together and keep the Widmark name strong lol"

 

(Brandon Widmark FB profile)

I reported about Brandon Widmark's Arizona connection and Brandon and Jesse Widmark being former employees of Don's Rent-All in April 2023. My first two posts were on April 18 and April 19, 2023 and I observed law enforcement vehicles on different streets in Eureka. This was all before any information was released by HCSO.

Judge Tsenin issued another ruling in Kreis' small claim case against me

 

A hearing is scheduled tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. for status of ruling and the OSC was continued. I confirmed it is still on calendar.

Judge Ksenia Tsenin issued her ruling. It is basically the same. Then suspended her judgement. Now she is back to basically the same ruling. The arguments have been the same. 

Tomorrow, there is a hearing on for status of Judge Tsenin's ruling. 2/27: All that happened was Judge Tsenin asked us if we received her ruling. I responded "electronically, yes." She then said the OSC requested by Kreis "was moot." "For the record, I will state it is denied." It should have been denied when he filed it because Kreis had no legal basis. I had filed a motion to vacate and an appeal and a small claims judgement is automatically stayed for 30 days to allow those options. 

I am going to appeal. I had already filed that request and there is currently a hearing date scheduled for that trial de novo next Monday. I mentioned several times the concerns about that date when Judge Tsenin hadn't even issued her final rulings. 

Sunshine Massage pimping and pandering suspects' preliminary hearing continued for the nth time for this plea that keeps getting mentioned but has yet to materialize

 

Pimping and pandering suspects Sunshine Massage owner Rongqiu Li and alleged cohort and co-defendant Xiao Wang's cases were on for setting of preliminary hearing on 2/21. Yet another hearing was continued for the nth time to 4/25 for the same reason with the only difference being instead of possible resolution; it is listed as setting of prelim/change of plea.

I have been the only one reporting regularly on their court cases since their arrest.

Joseph Shinn was charged with 25 felonies including 600 images of child pornography; local case dismissed today since charges have been filed in federal court

 

This morning preliminary hearing was scheduled for alleged molestor and child pornography suspect Joseph Shinn. The Humboldt District Attorney's Office charged him with 25 felonies including possession of over 600 images of child pornography.

The local case was dismissed by the DA because charges have been filed in federal court.

Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer was the prosecutor on this case. Shinn had retained Mr. Michael Robinson. Shinn was in custody on a no bail status. Today, he was ordered to be released from the Humboldt jail by Judge Kaleb Cockrum.

Brandon Widmark said it was all Jesse's idea. Brandon was the hero who saved Baskette."

 

On 2/25, jurors in Brandon and Jesse Widmark's trial were excused at lunch while Judge Steven Steward, Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees, Ms. Andrea Sullivan and Ms. Rebecca Linkous went over some evidence hearings and motions.

The last People's witness today before lunch was DA Investigator Greg Hill. He testified about the firearms in this case.

Release denied for Joseph Larue, hearing on extradition scheduled for this Friday

On 2/21, Joseph Larue's cases were on for OR bail and setting of preliminary hearing. Release was denied by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. A review hearing is scheduled for 2/28. Preliminary hearing is on 3/5/25. He has two 2024 cases and one 2025 case. I only included court minutes for one of the cases since the dates are the same with the only difference being that in the 2025 case an identity hearing is scheduled for extradition on his out of county warrants.

Alleged home invasion suspects' preliminary hearing continued because two attorneys are currently busy with Widmark brothers jury trial

(Lenhart is the only one whose booking photo was released by HCSO)

This morning, there were a number of cases on for preliminary hearing for Dauwin Poe, Cotc Lincoln and Joseph Lenhart. 

Thanks Christina Higgins for making my prediction about your being arrested again true

 

(2020 booking photo)

Christina Higgins was arrested by Probation yesterday for PC 1203.2(a)(1) violation of probation. I have covered repeat offender Higgins since 2014 and the last post I did on her was in 2022.

She has 36 search results that come up in Humboldt Superior Court. These are the open cases that were on calendar on 2/13. CR2500187B, CR2403521A, CR2403958 and CR2002275.

Juror #6 is a number that is cursed

Juror # 6 is a number that is cursed. First, a juror in the convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's trial caused problems. Then this morning, before jurors heard evidence in the Brandon and Jesse Widmark trial, there was a possible issue of juror misconduct raised by Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees on 2/21. Ms. Andrea Sullivan who represents Jesse Widmark filed a motion for mistrial. Judge Steven Steward ordered transcripts of the voir dire of juror #6. The male juror was questioned this morning.

It turned out to be much ado about nothing. The juror was not replaced. There wasn't a mistrial.

Rent increases for Hillsdale tenants had already been rescinded, temporary restraining order granted as to Hillsdale only, matter may resolve before preliminary injunction hearing

Mr. Randall Davis made a special appearance today in court on behalf of Hillsdale apartment owner, Mr. Anil Dwivedi who was also present in court.

Janssen Malloy's Mr. Jeff Slack and Ms. Megan Yarnall are representing Don Swall and Vanessa Vachon. I did not see them in court.

A few more details came out argument by Mr. Davis in today's hearing that were not available before. 

Today, was not a win for either side. It was a mixed outcome.

Retired Judge John Feeney issued a temporary restraining order only pertaining to Hillsdale Apartments and not 333 E street. A hearing on the preliminary injunction is scheduled for March 10. Matters may resolve before then.

Why was this juror who refused to follow the law not removed, another juror gives insight into the hung jury in Steve Boudreaux's retrial

 

On February 14, for the second time, there was a hung jury in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's case. In the first trial Boudreaux was convicted of Count 6. 

On the 21st, I got this email. In my previous coverage, I mentioned juror #6. You can read court minutes about juror #6 which are in a previous post. While I know the name, the gender and other information of the juror who contacted me , I will be keeping that information confidential. 

Court minutes from 2/14 were still not entered in e court as of 2/21. Still not in the system as of 2/24 and court administration is aware. The court minutes were finally entered on 2/25. 11 days for criminal court minutes and in a mistrial. 

By that time the minutes were entered, they were useless. I had already heard from a juror and done this post and that juror gave me more details than what was recorded in the court minutes. Thank you to the juror who contacted me. 

It is standard question during voir dire for all jurors who are asked if they will follow the law as the judge instructed regarding of how they feel and disagree. From court minutes and the statement provided by the juror who contacted me, juror #6 lied, misled the court and attorneys and caused a mistrial for a convicted molestor. This has happened in other high profile cases and in Ray Christie's trial a juror who refused to follow the law was removed by Judge Christopher Wilson. This second mistrial isn't a win for the defense. 

There was a trial setting on 2/21 which was continued to 2/26 because Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo was not available.

Deputy DA Whitney Timm tried to protect the community from this dangerous, violent repeat criminal but Judge Cockrum let him loose; even an ankle monitor did not deter Sean Lundy

Sean Elmwood Lundy was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday. To get arrested repeatedly in Humboldt happens all the time. To get arrested while you are on ankle monitor is more than stupidity. Deputy District Whitney Timm tried to keep the public safe. Judge Kaleb Cockrum chose to release this violent, repeat offender. The jail log lists all these as fresh arrests but since Lundy has been arrested for PC 273.6(a) violating a restraining order before; I am pretty sure some of those are from previous arrests.

Seven counts of PC 273.6(a) violating a restraining order, PC166(a)(4) failure to pay child support, VC 23152 (a) DUI and VC 23152(b) blood alcohol over the legal limit.

Mckinleyville's Kevin Alto appointed to the 9th District Agricultural Association Redwood Acres Fair Board

(Photo: Alto Equipment)

California Governor Newsom has appointed Mckinleyville's Kevin Alto to the 9th District Agricultural Association Redwood Acres Fair Board. Since 1998, Alto has been the President of Kevin Alto Equipment.

18 attorney generals including CA's Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief supporting a preliminary injunction requested by PFLAG and GLMA which states two executive orders by President Trump has "targeted transgender people in an unlawful and discriminatory manner."

 

A coalition of 18 attorney generals including California AG Rob Bonta filed an amicus brief today supporting a preliminary injunction requested by PFLAG, GLMA which states two executive orders by President Trump has "targeted transgender people in an unlawful and discriminatory manner."

"Both the California Constitution and the First Amendment to the United States Constitution protect your right to free expression. However, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on the exercise of speech rights."

ACLU of Northern California posted this on Facebook two hours ago. There is an entire video reel highlighting the need for a permit protest and contacting a lawyer.

Blaine O'Shaughnessy finally showed up for court and has Conflict Counsel appointed; he can't afford an attorney?

 

Blaine O'Shaughnessy was on the second floor this morning to be arraigned in his 2024 case. The last post I did was in April 2024 when he failed to appear for arraignment in his hit and run case.

One juror out with flu in Widmark trial; Brandon Widmark attempted to contact witness after testimony but was thwarted because her number was blocked by jail

 

(Jesse Widmark)

(Brandon Widmark)

Today's jury trial for Brandon and Jesse Widmark started off with juror #12 being excused because he has the flu. Judge Steven Steward was informed at 8:30 this morning. The male juror gave Judge Steward a note from his doctor at St. Joe's.

Humboldt County Fernstock Battle of the Bands winners, The Critics, want your vote to win a national competition

 

(Photo courtesy of Emiliano Ramirez. The Critics at the Bandshell, Golden Gate Park, July 2024)

Local band, The Critics, sen a press release which is posted below. 

Joseph Larue arrested again, this time by EPD, for a warrant for first degree burglary

 

Joseph LaRue was arrested by Eureka Police Department yesterday evening and booked on a warrant from Trinity County for PC 459/461(a) first degree burglary. Bail is $500,000.

I doubt they can release the booking photo but I requested it and EPD PIO Laura Montagna said she would check with EPD Chief Stephens.

LaRue already has a setting scheduled for tomorrow in three other cases; two 2024 cases and one 2025 case. 

For the second time, hung jury in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's case

 

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, the jury in convicted molestor Steve Boudreaux's retrial was still deliberating. Later that day, there was a mistrial and another hung jury in the case. 

I had a feeling this might be the case after 2/13/25 and the issue with juror #6. Court minutes from 2/13/25 are in the previous post.

Judge LaCasse tells Michael Acosta, "I am not going to buy that argument. It's clear you have not complied with the terms of probation."

 

The clerk for Michael Acosta's VOP revocation hearing on 2/14/25 has done one of the best summaries of what happened in court that I have seen in 14 years of covering Humboldt Superior Court.

If you want the Chiv'd live observation as if you were in the courtroom or watching via Zoom; read on.

Visiting Judge Leonard LaCasse appeared via Zoom. Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris and Acosta were in court. There were two people in the audience briefly but for most of the hearing, it was just me in the audience, court staff and the bailiff watching the show Acosta put on which was yelling at times and arguing with Judge LaCasse.

Not only did Judge LaCasse not put up with Acosta's nonsense but countered with facts. Mr. Harris remained cool as a cucumber and got in a couple of zingers.

Maria Cuevas' deposition to be taken in Humboldt jail for civil lawsuit against nitrous oxide civil lawsuit

 

In December 2024, I did a post that Jessica Sprague is suing Commerce Enterprises Inc et al and Maria Cuevas. Jessica Sprague is the daughter of David Sprague who died as a result of a collision on 9th and I. The vehicle involved in that fatal collision was driven by Cuevas. Jessica Sprague is the administrator of David Sprague's estate. In the civil case, Jessica Sprague is represented by Humboldt law firm Janssen Malloy's Mr. William Stein; Cuevas by Redding attorney Mr. Jonz Norine in the civil case and Commerce Enterprise's attorney is Ms. Monica Castillo.

In January 2025, Cuevas entered a plea for 25 years, 8 months prison in her criminal case. She is scheduled to be sentenced on 3/10. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Cuevas' attorney in her criminal case.

In 2018, Ewa Misztal pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter, child abuse and endangerment; in 2025 her 9 year old case is set for jury trial

  

(2016 booking photo)

In 2018, Ewa Misztal pleaded guilty to two added counts; voluntary manslaughter as well as child endangerment and abuse.

I covered Ewa Misztal's 2016 case extensively and for 7 years from 2016 to 2023. I stopped following the case in 2023 after she was approved for outpatient treatment.

UIHS CEO and former Humboldt County employee Stephanie Weldon appointed Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health

 

California Governor Gavin Newsom just released a list of appointments. One appointment is from Humboldt County.

In 2021, Newsom appointed Stephanie Weldon to another position.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2021/10/tribes-humboldt-and-mendocino.html?m=1

Former Kern County Supervisor charged with child abuse and possession of an assault weapon

 

CA AG charges four suspects with 48 counts for "allegedly operating two residential brothels in Sacramento County, laundering money, conspiracy, and tax evasion."

 

Highway to Housing workshop at the new UPLIFT Resource Center allows participants to get a certificate and gives tools for a successful housing application

 

The City of Eureka's UPLIFT Resource Center is offering a workshop, Highway to Housing. The first session is on 2/19 at 10:30 a.m. and will continue each Wednesday for eight weeks.  

"There is no Court that has ordered a Catholic hospital to do an abortion."

 

I just did a post yesterday on the demurrer filed by Providence St. Joe's. The State of California filed an opposition. In yesterday's post, I have a statement from California Attorney General Rob Bonta about today's hearing.

Right now two attorney's for Providence St. Joe's and three representing the State of California are presenting their arguments to Judge Timothy Canning. Courtroom Four is packed with every single seat taken by people supporting reproductive rights; three seats by other local media and one seat by Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees. I stood at the back of the courtroom. There were also people on Zoom.

Mr. Rees himself said to me, "I think I am the only one here for St. Joe's."

There are court documents in my previous posts and I doubt that Judge Canning will issue a ruling today on the demurrer. Judge Canning said he had reviewed the demurrer and the opposition filed by the State of California.

17 AG's to VP Vance : "Judges do not ‘control’ executive power. Judges stop the unlawful and unconstitutional exercise of power. "

 

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 16 other attorney generals just released a statement about Vice-President J.D  Vance comments on judicial review.

"As we have made clear in our briefs, Providence is in the wrong. There is no legal basis to dismiss our case."

 

I was planning on some court documents for tomorrow's hearing which is on the demurrer filed by Providence in the lawsuit filed against them by the State of California. This includes Providence adding more lawyers to their team.

This was before California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement today "in advance of tomorrow's hearing on Providence St. Joseph Hospital’s (Providence) attempt to dismiss the Attorney General’s lawsuit."

"There is no greater threat to democracy than the accumulation of state power in the hands of a single, unelected individual. Although our constitutional system was designed to prevent the abuses of an 18th century monarch, the instruments of unchecked power are no less dangerous in the hands of a 21st century tech baron. In recent weeks, Defendant Elon Musk, with President Donald J. Trump’s approval, has roamed through the federal government unraveling agencies, accessing sensitive data, and causing mass chaos and confusion for state and local governments, federal employees, and the American people."

 

A coalition of 14 attorney generals including California Attorney General Rob Bonta have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration "challenging Elon Musk's unconstitutional exercise of power."

President Trump may believe that he is above the law, but today’s preliminary injunction sends a clear message: He is not a king, and he cannot rewrite the Constitution with the stroke of a pen."

Another preliminary injunction. This one granted against the birthright citizenship executive order.

Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal inadvertently becomes a "star" potential witness and highlight on first day of Widmark brothers jury trial

 

Most people are familiar with what led to the arrest of Brandon and Jesse Widmark. I had exclusive coverage on my blog. People have seen the video and footage released by the Humboldt County Sherriff's office. 

No other media was in court this morning and no one was there before lunch. The defendants rejected an offer made by the People earlier this week.

There were two very important rulings. One before Judge Steven Steward gave some pre jury instructions to the jury of five women and seven men and alternate jurors consisting of three men and two women. Another ruling before the People's first witness, Brittaney Nunes.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees wanted to play a 6 minute video that was released by HCSO and narrated by Humboldt Sherriff William Honsal. Ms. Rebecca Linkous who represents Brandon Widmark objected and filed a motion. There was argument by both attorneys and the summary is Mr. Rees prevailed. This video is footage the media, the public has already seen. The jurors were questioned extensively about media coverage on this case. I agree with what Judge Steven Steward and Mr. Rees said this morning.

I have covered "hot shot" Deputy DA Trent Timm for 10 years, so glad to see him appear on KINS but more importantly looking forward to him returning to prosecution of cases that earned him that nickname

 

(Trent Timm: photo by John Chiv)

The Humboldt County District Attorney is one of the elected officials who regularly appears on KINS. This morning in addition to Humboldt County DA Stacey Eads, Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm appeared live on radio talking about retail theft cases, Prop 36, changes in the law and recidivism.

If you have followed my blog from the beginning or even the last few years, you have read the many court cases and know my opinion of Mr. Timm. Mr. Timm joined the DA's office in 2015, which is a year after I regularly started covering Humboldt Superior Court. My coverage of him and his successful prosecutions earned him the nickname "hot shot deputy DA" coined by Ryan Hurley. 

The Humboldt County District Attorney's office received a grant of $2 million from the state to specifically target and prosecute retail theft cases. This led to the creation of a dedicated retail theft prosecution team within the Humboldt DA's office. In addition to Mr. Timm, former EPD Officer and currently DA Investigator Tim Marsolan is on the DA retail theft team.

Just a few minutes ago, I briefly saw Mr. Timm and asked him whether he would get back to prosecuting other type of cases . Besides myself, others in the legal community familiar with him including past jurors also want to know. 

Mr. Timm told me that when the team was first created, "an experienced prosecutor was needed and I was honored that DA Eads gave me the opportunity to be a part of this important effort." He told me the plan is to pass on these cases to other deputy DAs and he will go back to trying other cases.

Paskenta Mad River Brewery introduces flagship ale in new package

The award-winning Steelhead Extra Pale Ale cans are now available in 12 packs. Listed below is more information from the brewery.