Defense motion for release of convicted sex offender Richard Wright was denied by Retired Judge Marilyn Miles. Preliminary remains as scheduled on 6/4.
I reported on his arrest by HCSO on 5/21.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/05/hcso-arrests-two-yesterday-for-failure.html?m=1
I first wrote about a new option in Humboldt at 1323 Fifth street which is the former location of Marcelli's. Scott Boone is the chef and owner.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/03/former-marcellis-location-to-reopen-as.html?m=1
Smalls Fusion Comfort is open and the new decor is clean and inviting. Small's started serving lunch on 5/16 and dinner on 5/23. Chef Scott describes his cooking style as "Southern Comfort, Tex Mex, Italian with a bit of Asian influence."
Crabfat chicken wings, shrimp corndogs, bao are some of the options along with several Italian classics like eggplant parm, comfort food like mac and cheese and the S-N-T burger with a twist of fried shrimp and remoulade added to the usual toppings. Smalls serves wine and beer.
Yesterday, I stopped by to look at the menu and spoke with General Manager Matthew Johansing on 5/30/25. He told me they will start serving Sunday brunch soon. Chef Scott was busy cooking.
Suspended local attorney Victor Campos had a hearing on 5/29 for Dr. Mark Lamer's report and co-defendant Kyle Cross had trial setting scheduled. This is a drug case.
Campos was found not competent to stand trial. Placement hearing is scheduled for 6/24. Court minutes for Campos state that Judge Lawrence Killoran found it is not in the interest of justice to restore Campos' competency. Public Defender's office might file a PC 1385 motion which is to request that a judge dismiss criminal charges in the interest of justice.
As I previously reported, Campos was recently hospitalized. Before that through some sources who know Campos, after he was evicted from his home/office on 5th street, Campos ended up homeless and is living in a shelter.
Cross' trial setting was continued by defense to 6/24. Given what is happening in the Campos case, will the DA resolve Cross' case, dismiss it? Will the evidence alone for Cross be worth it to take it to trial. Based on what I know and not from the DA or courts, there is a chance that might happen. This case has already dragged on for years and without Campos, it is just one of the many drug cases and not a priority for me or of interest to most of my readers with all the other types of cases and news I cover.
I do not know who you are. You could be a stranger. I have a feeling I know you but I will respect your privacy. You know what you did a few minutes ago. Thank you.
Today, trial setting for spousal support was scheduled in FL2100320 which is the family law case for Gregory Kreis vs Brenda Elvine. Hearings have been scheduled in Sonoma Superior Court. If you are a local reader, you know why. Others can google or search previous coverage on the blog.
The last hearing was before Judge Shelly J. Averill. Local attorney Mr. Kelly Walsh is providing limited scope representation to the party.
Trial dates were set. Mr. Kelly Walsh appeared for Kreis. Readiness Conference on 10/10; Court trial on 11/4.
When I checked recent documents, I noticed the wrong documents were scanned for a completely different case. Don't know whose error it is; if it was the new Humboldt Superior Court family clerk, they are especially short staffed this week and I have not seen a mistake like this before in any family law case I have researched. Don't know who filed it, was it someone from Mr. Walsh's office or ??
Mr. Walsh is Matthew Hess' attorney. He endorsed Kreis in the last election which Kreis lost "bigly." Filing a 170.6 against Judge April Van Dyke who won against Kreis is such an obvious move on Walsh's and Hess' part.
6/2: After my post, the error was fixed and Hess' documents were removed from the system.
I just added the second amended complaint filed on 5/20 in the lawsuit by two tenants of 1140 E Street against Dwivedi Tower LLC to the May 12 post.
I have been checking for Judge Timothy Canning's ruling on the preliminary injunction requested by attorneys from the Janssen Malloy law firm on behalf of Don Swall and Vanessa Vachon. Today, Judge Canning's ruling was entered in e court. The ruling and order does not apply to all evictions.
Judge Canning's ruling and order cites California Civil Code § 1947.12(a). In the second amended complaint by Janssen Malloy, the attorneys mention CA Civil Code 1947 which is one of the two civil codes mentioned.
You can read the order for yourself. It is two pages. I have been regularly covering the case. I just did a post on May 12 and there are links to previous coverage.
I have contacted Mr. Anil Dwivedi and asked him or his attorney as well as Janssen Malloy's Ms. Meagan Yarnall of Janssen Malloy if they wish to comment.
38 year old Dennis Cameron was arrested by Eureka Police Department Det. Raymond Nunez and Officer Ben Altic yesterday and booked for four alleged violations of PC 288 (a) lewd and lascivious acts with a minor; one alleged violation of PC 288.5(a) continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 and one alleged violation of PC 288.7(a) sexual intercourse or penetration, sodomy, or oral copulation with a child under 10. Bail is $ 1 million, two hundred and forty five thousand.
There is no middle name listed for Cameron. I spoke with EPD Chief Stephens and he told me this Dennis Cameron is not the one who comes up in a search listing for Providence. There is no prior court case for Dennis Cameron in the Humboldt Superior Court system.
6/2: DA has charges Cameron with four felonies. His middle name is Robert. Retired Judge Marilyn Miles increased bail to 1 million, five hundred thousand. Conflict Counsel appointed. OR bail waived without prejudice. Criminal protective order served on Cameron. Preliminary hearing is on 6/12. Court minutes say DA will address bail at preliminary hearing.
On 5/27 attempted homicide, mayhem and torture suspect Luigi Messina's jury trial was continued to 5/28 because no judge and no courtroom was available.
On 5/28, the jury trial was assigned to Judge Steven Steward. Individual jurors were being questioned. This afternoon, jury selection started with the full panel of jurors.
Ms. Andrea Sullivan was court appointed to represent Messina. This after Messina punched Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo and spit on Deputy Conflict Counsel Zachary Curtis.
Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer is the prosecutor. I have details about this case, the arrest which I reported on and Messina's two other cases.
Luigi dressed in a shirt and pants is still shackled and his face covered with a spit mask. Even though Judge Steward has given instructions to potential jurors not to consider Messina's physical restraints, the netting on his face has a very Silence of the Lambs look.
Judge Steven Steward deferred his ruling on Messina's request to add an additional plea of not guilty by reason of insanity. He also deferred People's request to exclude any evidence of John Doe's HIV status positive status until a 402 hearing is held. People's request to have witness Det. Raymond Nunez appear via Zoom was also deferred.
The press release listed John Doe as an acquaintance. In the jury trial, will jurors hear about what might be described as an alleged gay lover's quarrel that went awry. The defense and prosecution will present different theories.
On 5/29, Ms. Sullivan addressed Messina's concerns regarding use of pronouns.
Judge Steward denied Messina's request for an additional NGI plea. Messina was previously evaluated to see if he was competent to stand trial and the case proceeded after a restoration hearing on 1/29/24 which found Messina competent to stand trial. That is something I checked on my own before Judge Steward's ruling.
People's request to have Det. Nunez testify via Zoom denied. Messina is objecting to law enforcement witnesses testifying via Zoom.
Ruling on People's request to exclude evidence of John Doe's HIV status is deferred.
Ms. Sullivan has chosen to remain seated instead of standing when prospective jurors enter due to Messina's physical restraints. This won't draw more attention to him other than his spit mask which is hard to ignore.
Of course, Messina won't appreciate the gesture because he is a moron throwing out every strategy to see what sticks. Insanity ploy failed. Now instead of focusing that he is looking at years in prison, Messina is a mockery of the LGBTQ community and the trans community by bringing up pronouns at this late change. There is no paperwork indicating a name change in Humboldt Superior Court.
There are a lot of court cases of interest this week; several today. If you do not see a new post, it is because I value your time and prioritize the content I post first. Continuances, minor updates or posts that can wait a day or two is based on your views and because I know many of you. Some days, you need a break from the constant news and certain type of news.
#1 over 24 other burger chains. Habit Bar and Grill, also California based, is #2. Jack in the Box; #17 McDonald's; #19 Burger King; #22 Wendy's and #23 Carl's Jr.
I just walked up so going to see what is going on. Saw one officer with a trash bag; EPD is taking belongings for safekeeping, someone is going to jail. Initial call was for trespass and being unccoperative outside business. EPD Officer Ben Altic was the first to respond. CSET Sgt. Jon Omey, Officer Michael Shaw and Officer Dimitri Tagaropoulos were also on scene.
Based on the time of the arrest and the jail log information, the suspect is Kennedy Edward Howell who was booked for PC 647 (e) illegal lodging or squatting. He was released on O.R. EPD PIO Laura Montagna confirmed the arrest.
I contacted the Humboldt County Elections Office and cced Humboldt County Clerk, Recorder, & Registrar of Voters Mr. Juan Cervantes to ask when the following judges and Eureka City Council incumbents are up for re-election, should they decide to seek another term. The next statewide primary election is on June 2, 2026.
Mr. Cervantes responded, "Here are when the following folks will be up for re-election if they run again."
Pritesh Patel and Binitaben Patel are co-defendants in a 2024 criminal case and today, their cases are scheduled for a preliminary hearing. Mr. Michael Robinson is representing both the Patels. This is why you hire an experienced defense lawyer like Mr. Robinson. Search warrants are sealed. That request was granted by Retired Judge Christopher Wilson.
Both are charged with three felonies. Welfare & Institutions Code 10980 (c) (2) receiving aid or public assistance by fraud , PC 118 (a) perjury and WI 14014 (a) liability for individuals receiving health care for which they were not eligible, either due to false declarations or by causing others to make false declarations to obtain benefits. Deputy District Attorney Brandon Boozari is the prosecutor for both cases.
The alleged crimes took place between February 11, 2015 to November 30, 2022.
Case dismissed against Binitaben Patel. Pritesh Patel entered a plea and was sentenced by Judge Timothy Canning. Pritesh Patel pleaded guilty to Count 1. Count 2 dismissed. Harvey reservation for Count 3 There is a restitution hearing for Pritesh Patel scheduled for 8/26 as well as a defense motion to reduce the felony to misdemeanor. Sèe court minutes for more details including amounts to be paid to CalFresh and Department of Health.
Joy Hostler was scheduled to be arraigned yesterday in her elder abuse case which is from an arrest in April. Alleged victim in the elder abuse case is Jacalyn Grace Martins.
Hostler was arrested again by Hoopa Tribal Police yesterday afternoon for PC 273.6 (a) violation of a court order. Bail for this arrest is $25,000.
His latest column for the LA based Daily Journal is his legal take on the U.S. Supreme Court and Trump's Executive Orders.
Next Monday is supposed to be the launch of Eureka Police Department online reporting system. That is a positive development and will give the dispatchers and the community flexibility and options.
What you won't see reported is the loss of more officers at EPD. I have been reporting regularly for at least two years on several Eureka Police Department officers leaving. Most have gone over to HCSO, the DA's office or out of the area. Former EPD Detective Jonathan Eckert is now working for HCSO.
Two more officers are leaving soon. EPD Officer Jayme Clark and EPD School Resource Officer Ryan Flowers. Officer Clark is going over to work for Cal Poly Humboldt.
It has not even been a week since proposed camping ordinance which could have given law enforcement the tools to address what frustrates the reader who contacted me today. It was voted down by the majority of Eureka City Council.
Jennifer Lynn Facer was arrested for the third time this year and second time in May by Eureka Police Department for PC 290.012(a) failure to register as a sex offender. She added PC 148 (a) (1) resisting arrest and HS 11550(a) to her charges for the May 30 arrest.
The January arrest for her sex offense conviction from Florida was dismissed by the DA. Court minutes on that case are in a previous post with more information about the dismissal. Facer has 2025 criminal case for the January She has an upcoming court date in May for a 2025 traffic case in Humboldt Superior Court.
The DA filed two criminal cases. They are for the two May 2025 arrests. After the first May arrest Retired Judge John Feeney released Facer on supervised release. This post has updates on her arraignments, OR bail and preliminary hearings and traffic case.
62 year old Lance Robert Lammon was arrested by HCSO yesterday for felony violation of PC 246.3 (a) discharge of firearm or BB gun in a grossly negligent manner . Based on the time, a local facebook profile which has no photo and google searches, I reached out to HCSO Lt. Jesse Taylor.
Lt. Taylor confirmed Lammon's arrest is connected to the Orleans incident yesterday. "A HCSO Deputy was assisting a motorist in the Orleans area when he heard gunfire. Lance Lammon was located in the vicinity and later arrested for 246.3 PC."
At 9:54 a.m. Lammons was posting bail.
Around 11:45, the Facebook account I checked had this post saying "?Anybody going from Eureka to Orleans. Need a ride."
Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees has the best lines in court relevant to the charges in the case.
If you read my coverage of the Juan Ferrer case and trial, you will remember Mr. Rees remark, "you don't bring a knife to a fist fight."
In the current trial, Mr. Rees is prosecuting, the one liner that jurors will remember, the alleged victim will relive and make the defendant regret taking the stand is:
"So is it true what they say about feeling like you have been hit by a truck?"
Defendant Cody Cooper testified in his jury trial on May 23 for attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and resisting arrest. After Cooper's testimony, Mr. Rees' made an oral motion to amend the complaint to add hit and run after a collision and vandalism. Deputy Public Defender Ryan McClurg objected and asked to file a written response.
I have covered convicted sex offender Lucas Russell case regularly and already reported on his plea and stipulated sentence of 50 years in prison. Today, Russell was served with a criminal protective order. Sexually violent predator advisement given by Retired Judge John Feeney. Parole term, cuStody credits and breakdown of sentence is in the court minutes.
Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor on this case. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Russell's attorney.
DA's press release issued at 3:43 p.m. has been added to the post.
Convicted sex offender Kevin John Murphy was arrested by HCSO early a.m. this morning for PC 314 (1) indecent exposure. A google search shows Murphy arrested this year in February and March.
He was arrested for the same charge in 2014 by the Fortuna Police Department. The police responded after "customer of a local coffee shop observed a male subject standing near the business engaging in the act of masturbation.
Upon arrival, the officer observed Kevin Murphy standing near the Drive-Thru with his pants down and additional evidence indicating that Murphy had been engaging in the observed act. " FPD booked Murphy for indecent exposure and probation violation.
HCSO just sent out a press release about Murphy's arrest today which I added to the post.
Leanna Mae Hicks arrested by HCSO yesterday for PC 290.012(a) failure to register as a sex offender.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/05/hcso-arrests-two-yesterday-for-failure.html?m=1
She has a 2024 drug offense case which is open. A conviction in a 2005 DUI case, a conviction in a 2005 case for battery and a plea in a 2011 case. I do not see a sex offense conviction or case in Humboldt court.
Next week, jury trial is scheduled for attempted homicide and murder suspect Luigi Rocco Messina. He has three 2023 cases on calendar today. Will the trial proceed? Which judge will it be assigned to?
At Readiness Conference today, the trial was confirmed but court minutes do not indicate assignment to any judge when I checked at 12:47 p.m. Seven days time estimate. Spanish interpreter required for witness.
The last hearing was on 5/20 for Messina's Marsden motion which was denied by Judge Steven Steward.
I reported on his arrest in 2023. At the time of his arrest, the charges included one victim; an acquaintance. Ms. Andrea Sullivan has been appointed to represent Messina. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer has appeared on the cases for most hearings.
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2023/09/no-bail-for-attempted-murder-suspect.html?m=1#more
Messina punched Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo and spit on former Deputy DA and private attorney Zachary Curtis who is now a Deputy Conflict Counsel.
