John Chiv: In addition to previous attacks on attorneys, attempted murder, torture suspect assaulted correctional captain last night who had to go to the hospital, extra deputies added in courtroom and security measures put in place to protect judge, jurors, court staff and courtroom when defendant testifies

Jun 5, 2025

In addition to previous attacks on attorneys, attempted murder, torture suspect assaulted correctional captain last night who had to go to the hospital, extra deputies added in courtroom and security measures put in place to protect judge, jurors, court staff and courtroom when defendant testifies

**This post is court testimony in an attempted murder, mayhem and torture case and has some graphic details**

This my second post on attempted murder, mayhem and torture suspect Luigi Messina today. This post is the coverage from this afternoon.

When court resumed at 1:30 p.m. Dr. Eric Gerdes who work's at St. Joe testified. Dr. Gerdes has been a physician for 22 years. He testified John Doe "had significant trauma to the head and hand. A scalp laceration and blood. Most of the injuries were to the left hand and a partially amputated finger. The bone was protruding in the area where the nail should be."

Ms. Andrea Sullivan asked for a directed verdict on Count 1 torture after Dr. Gerdes' testimony. After hearing from Ms. Sullivan and Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer. Judge Steven Steward denied the defense motion.

Ms. Schaffer referred to John Doe's testimony. "The defendant laughed as victim asked him to stop. The defendant was masturbating John Doe who had difficulty getting an erection due to the level of intoxication. He passes out and wakes up to defendant strangling him."

Ms. Schaffer said this was sadistic revenge by Messina due to John Doe's inability to have sex.

"The inference prosecution is drawing is not supported by evidence. My client entered the gas station completely naked. There is sufficient evidence of beating. I am not asking for a verdict for attempted murder. I am asking for a directed verdict on the torture count. "

"This was a short attack, " said Ms. Sullivan. The victim was extremely intoxicated. Mr. Messina is distraught in the second video about his own sexual assault."

Messina testified. Messina assaulted a correctional captain last night and he had to go to the hospital. Judge Steward had to talk with attorneys and make decisions for the safety of jurors and minimize prejudice by having Messina seated before jurors came in so they don't see him shackled. A deputy was seated between Judge Steward and Messina, another deputy between jurors and Messina. A third deputy near the jurors and gallery. This in addition to the regular court bailiff.

I have already included a lot of detail on arguments, other motions and testimony and so you just have to take my word that as usual, valid points were made by both attorneys and Judge Steward's final decision was the best for everyone's safety. Messina created this situation by continuing to assault people, even while in custody.

Ms. Andrea Sullivan is an excellent attorney but Messina is sinking his own ship by his behavior of assaulting previous attorneys and jail staff. Messina is male appearing, has a masculine voice and insists on being referred to as she and Miss Messina. The judge and attorneys have respected that request and that is how Messina is referred to in court. I would not have a problem with the pronoun and I will use the pronouns as stated in court testimony and court statements. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer, Ms. Andrea Sullivan have referred to Messina as "she" and "Miss". The court clerk in the minutes has used "they."

Messina has some new request every day. I have chosen to use Messina most of the time and I also occassionally refer to Messina as he. As I pointed out previously, there is no legal name change on record and when did Messina come to this conclusion? This trial is the first time I have heard Messina's request regarding pronouns. I am not going to allow Messina to make a mockery of the trans community by using a different theatric du jour every day to distract from the serious alleged crimes he is accused of in this case. He also has two other cases trailing.

At a time when the trans community and trans healthcare and rights are under attack by the current administration, Messina's testimony and the way Messina has used irrelevant theatrics and flip flopping about sexual orientation and gender identity gives fodder to the incorrect stereotypes that will be used by homophobes and transphobes in the MAGA movement. The focus should be on the alleged crimes.

Today, when Messina had a chance to testify, Messina rambled all over the place, admitted information that helped the prosecution and sank every opportunity Ms. Sullivan gave Messina for possible self defense. Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer will cross examine but Messina is not credible. Mental health, rape, identifying as gay or trans are serious issues. This is a criminal case and the two most important factors are evidence and credibility. Messina needs to cut out the theatrics and allow his attorney to present the case with the facts and evidence she is trying to but is hindered by her own client.

I do not know how the jurors perceive Messina. or what they will decide but that is true for any trial. My perspective is from covering courts for many years and Humboldt Superior Court for 11 years.

In the afternoon, a woman who I believe is Messina's sister was in court and sat next to his father. During a break, Messina's father approached me and said, "Someone sent me your post. I have no problem with what you wrote but I would like to talk with you about my son."

I explained to him that I prefer to cover the court proceedings and do not talk to any party during the trial. What he seemed to want to share does not seem to be relevant to the court case. While there were no jurors around at that time, I didn't want any of them overhearing what Messina's father had to say. In previous coverage, I have included court minutes where Messina's family was already admonished once by Judge Steward for talking about the case in front of jurors.