John Chiv: Convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was booked into custody at the Humboldt County jail yesterday

Nov 1, 2025

Convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was booked into custody at the Humboldt County jail yesterday

(2022 booking photo)

Convicted murderer Austin Medeiros was booked into custody at the Humboldt County jail yesterday.

On May 24, 2023, Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced Medeiros to serve 25 years to life in prison for the first-degree murder of Emily Lobba. Medeiros was ordered to serve an additional 6 years, four months for other crimes.

Humboldt Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers was the prosecutor for Medeiros' 2022 case and Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps was his attorney.

If he has been transferred from prison to local custody, there must be some issue with his case; most likely sentencing. Checked California First Apellate District; Medeiros filed an appeal.

Medeiros' appeal was filed on 7/24/2023. The case was completed on 10/09/2025 with an opinion issued.

Another Judge Cockrum sentencing overturned on appeal. I have included the first two pages which summarize the Apellate Court opinion. In May, I reported on the appellate ruling that Judge Cockrum "erred" in Jake Comb's jury trial for the murder of Trevor Earley.

There is a hearing scheduled on 11/3.

Los Angeles attorney, Daily Journal contributor, former Humboldt Deputy DA and private attorney Allan Dollison just sent me this message to use as a comment.

"Saw your post. They overturned sentencing because Court needed to do a competency hearing. If he is not competent now then he cannot be sentenced. Also issued an OSC in IAC on Owen Tipps failure to investigate. Most common IAC reversal is for exactly that reason where the Defense Attorney fails to investigate his client’s background. If IAC is further found at Trial Court level through Habeas Corpus hearing then his conviction will be set aside and he’ll have to be re-tried. This was a loss for the Government."

I am sure many of my local readers which includes defendants in Humboldt Superior Court who have been represented by Owen Tipps are particularly interested in Mr. Dollison's feedback on the ruling.

11/3/25: Since there is such an interest in the Austin Medeiros case, this is an exclusive post from today's hearing first for just FB readers. Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum vacated Medeiros' sentence today. Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps requested to be relieved; Public Defender's office was appointed. Criminal proceedings were suspended after Judge Cockrum declared doubt regarding Medeiros' competency. 12/2 Dr. Kenneth Loya and Dr. Laljit Sidhu's reports are due on 12/2/25.