John Chiv: Motion to continue Richard Stobaugh placement hearing will be heard tomorrow, DA received over 130 comments, whether public comment will be allowed has not been decided

May 6, 2025

Motion to continue Richard Stobaugh placement hearing will be heard tomorrow, DA received over 130 comments, whether public comment will be allowed has not been decided

(Stobaugh)

I am at the BOS meeting right now where DA Stacey Eads is speaking to the Board of Supervisors. The BOS has a letter of opposition on the agenda opposing the proposed placement of sexually violent predator Richard Stobaugh in Manila. The BOS supports the DA and the Sheriff. I already reported on this last Friday. Humboldt DA Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley also spoke at the meeting. I went to the BOS meeting after today's court hearing on Stobaugh and once again, no media was present.

Whether you are planning to be at the court hearing or not tomorrow, you should read information that is not available anywhere else and could influence your decision.

(DA Stacey Eads)

(DA Stacey Eads and DA Chief Investigator Kyla Baxley speaking at the BOS meeting)

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson will not be there tomorrow due to another commitment. First District Supervisor Rex Bohn said he will be there.

DA Eads said 10:15 tomorrow which is the time for the placement hearing but the motion to continue is at 8:30. Supervisor Bushnell said Humboldt Sheriff William Honsal is in a meeting in Sacramento or he would have been there today. Some people spoke on this BOS item during public comment via Zoom and others were there in person.

I am the only one who is doing regular court coverage on this case and the placement hearing with exclusive details. There are a lot of last minute developments and changes day to day which those who read me daily and regularly already know. Links to previous coverage are provided for others. I already reported these last minute filings and once again, at the last minute,after I had already checked the case twice yesterday, there is a motion motion to seal records filed by CA Department of State Hospitals which is on for today with a motion for subpoenaed records and motion to continue by CA Department of State Hospitals scheduled for tomorrow with the proposed placement hearing.

I already reported that Judge Kaleb Cockrum was finally assigned to this case for all purposes, that there was a possibility that the May 7 proposed placement would be continued and that the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors have this on their agenda today. The BOS support the Humboldt County DA and Humboldt Sheriff William Honsal and have prepared a letter in opposition to this placement.

Motion to continue will be addressed tomorrow at 8:30. Judge Cockrum said he will decide about public comment tomorrow. So, if you are planning to attend or speak, be prepared that the hearing maybe continued, you may not be able to speak and Judge Cockrum may not make a final decision tomorrow.

Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm just received some the subpoenaed records today that Judge Cockrum ruled he would release at the last hearing. The rest are sealed unless that is changed in the future by a court order. The DA has to make copies for the Public Defender, go over these documents, all this on a day where Ms. Timm had to appear in court twice and argue a last minute motion by Deputy Public Defender Wade Orbelian days before a jury trial for alleged molestor Manuel Garcia Avalos. A case that dragged on for 4 years due to numerous continuances by the PD's office. This last minute motion to continue that trial was denied by Judge Cockrum and again today by Judge Kelly Neel. This was on at the same time as Stobaugh. I covered it and again, will do a post when I have time so those interested will have new information and see the nonsense by the PD's office that creates court backlogs.

The DA has received over 130 comments which were provided to the California Department of State Hospitals and Liberty. The State Hospital is asking to continue the hearing for a month to prepare a response and review comments. CA Department State Hospital mentioned that based on comments they could investigate the property for external fencing and also may decide against this proposed placement.

Public Defender Luke Brownfield appeared on the case today. When Judge Cockrum asked him where Deputy Public Defender Jason Sheets was and if he would be at the hearing tomorrow, Mr. Brownfield declined to answer the question. CA Department State Hospital attorney Jane Hu and a representative from Liberty appeared via Zoom.