This post is just on further arraignment and confirmation of counsel for Danielle Durand. I can tell you Mr. Michael Robinson will be appearing this afternoon for Durand. Her co-defendant and boyfriend Deunn Willis is represented by Mr. Gregory Kreis. Willis' case is on for OR bail. Preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8/28.
There are always two sides to a case. Based on my coverage of Humboldt Superior Court and experience with Mr. Robinson who would not have taken this case unless there is more to the story. Remember the Brian Leiteritz case?
I want to see what is said in court compared to what I know about the alleged incident. Court record confirmed those details.
Will a stay at the Humboldt Hilton result in a breakup? Will one snitch on another to get a deal? So far, the lovebirds are sticking together. Just based on what I heard in court so far, Durand should listen to her lawyer and take a realistic look at the evidence. Will Willis like some other male defendants take a plea in exchange for the case against Durand being dismissed?
Durand is charged with one count of PC 211 robbery and Count 2 special allegation PC 12022 (a) (1) armed with a firearm in the commission of the crime. Willis is charged in Count 1 with PC 187 (a) murder and special allegation PC 12022.53 personal and intentional discharge of a firearm during the crime (c). Count 2 PC 211 and special allegation PC 12022.53.
Alleged victim is Joshua Lee McCollister.
Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer appeared on the case today for the People.
1:56 p.m. Mr. Robinson is here with Durand's family. Someone, I believe Willis' family member or a friend was in court again today.
No other media was in court this afternoon. Request to set bail per schedule for Willis was denie by Visiting Judge Marjorie Carter. She ruled again that he will remain on no bail status. Willis is the registered owner of the gun used in this case and the firearm has not been recovered. Judge Carter agreed with Ms. Schaffer.
Durand is still on no bail but Mr. Robinson was able to get a OR bail hearing scheduled for her on 7/22 to argue again about setting bail per schedule. Willis' case is scheduled for pre trial on that day.
Willis is a CalPoly Humboldt graduate, was a coach at Mckinleyville Track and field. Durand is involved in animal rescue, fosters dogs and a German shepherd named Coco was the reason for the dispute which led to a confrontation and then death of McCollister at an encampment in Mckinleyville. A spear and pole found at the crime scene. Next door post, then a meeting at Murphys at Blue Lake where Durand met McCollister was also a part of today's court record. Durand and Willis have been in a relationship for 10 years.
Mr. Kreis said at the encampment, Willis tried deescalation; when that didn't work, he fired a warning shot. What deescalation training did Willits attend? The Academy of argue and then shoot? Willis isn't a trained mental health professional or law enforcement.
Durand's father is a disabled vet and she is his caregiver. When he tried to stand up in court holding his walker in support, there were tears in Durand's eyes. Her reaction may have been genuine. I recognize her father and it set off warning bells but I cannot place where yet. Based on his behavior so far, inside the courtroom and outside the courtroom, being a vet or disabled is not an excuse for being obnoxious or disrespectful.
There are basic facts from the early investigation all attorneys agree on but the People and defense versions today have slight, key differences.
Mr. Robinson made a valid point that Durand made a statement right after to law enforcement that this was not meant to happen. Mr. Robinson statements were effective and could convince a juror or two or more to be sympathetic to Durand but this early in the case, who knows what more evidence the People will have or the defense investigation will uncover?
Ms. Schaffer made a very crucial statement that Willis went to the encampment with a loaded firearm. As Ms. Schaffer's colleague, Deputy DA Roger Rees would say, "You don't bring a gun to a verbal argument."
Both defendants entered a 10 day time waiver. Prelim scheduled for 7/22 vacated and rescheduled for 8/28.
Durand's mother and father and some people in support of her were sitting behind me at arraignment. Durand's mother and father talked while other court cases were being called and during her case. Her mother cussing out the prosecutor during court while Ms. Schaffer is presenting her argument and her father demanding to know after who I am and why I am writing about the case and the disrespectful behavior is not going to help their daughter. They saw me tell Mr. Robinson that his client was in court. The father probably saw me after court clarifying something with Mr. Robinson. Maybe they should take their self absorbed glasses off and focus on the poor choices their daughter and her boyfriend made that led to the death of another person and why both are in jail.
Next time Durand's mother and father are in court, they can be respectful and keep the drama and foul language in their living room. Other families manage to be respectful; the Durand clan can save their theatrics for a Humboldt reality show or one of the drama filled, free for all, out of control, useless Humboldt online forums where facts don't matter or don't exist and anons spew venom because they cannot handle the truth.
Previous coverage from July 12 and July 15 has complaint and other details. I will not have more details added to this post until the weekend.
Previous posts:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/07/danielle-durand-and-deunn-willis-both.html?m=1
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/07/danielle-roberta-durand-and-deunn.html?m=1
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