John Chiv: Plea deal or not, lot of twist and turns since yesterday in sexual battery suspect Arda Kizilay case

Feb 18, 2026

Plea deal or not, lot of twist and turns since yesterday in sexual battery suspect Arda Kizilay case

**I would have had a current photo for you today and still may in the future. A lot happening in this case minute by minute. **

This is a screenshot and cropped email without email addresses I sent yesterday to Humboldt Superior Court Assistant Manager Scott Anderson, Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Schaffer and Ms. Kathleen Bryson.

The only issues I have had with a media request have been with Humboldt Superior Court Judge Kaleb Cockrum. It wasn't always that way. Regular readers who follow me, the community, those who work at the Courthouse and law enforcement know, have privately spoken to me and they have their own concerns about Judge Cockrum. I have already stated on my blog with numerous examples of cases, apellate rulings why someone should run against him but I have my doubts that he will have an opponent. The community and law enforcement deserve better.

I have been the only one following sexual battery suspect Arda Kizilay's case and with exclusive details. Kizilay is not allowed to work at Door Dash until this case concludes.

This morning at 9:40 p.m. I saw Kizilay sitting by himself at in jeans and a green shirt.

The preliminary hearing was assigned to Judge Timothy Canning. Ms. Bryson made oral motion to disqualify Judge Canning at 10:40 p.m. and the case got sent to Courtroom 5.

In May 2025, after I called him out about his ruling in the Richard Stobaugh case. RHBB commenters spoke up for me in Ryan Hutson's post about his ruling. Judge Cockrum then reversed his ruling. He isnt even the judge hearing the prelim in the Kizilay case.

At 10:57 a.m. Ms Bryson told Judge Killoran that an offer has been made. I left the courtroom because turkish interpreters are on zoom, Ms. Schaffer left shortly after. Ms Bryson is having ta confidential discussion about the offer to Kizilay.

There is no other media here.

12:09 p.m. Judge Kaleb Cockrum was walking out at the same time as me just now from the Courthouse & he told me "denied without prejudice, just means I can bring it up to the assigned judge." Judge Cockrum also informed attorneys, I can "bring it up again."

While I appreciate that, Humboldt has no current protocol to address the court. If that is what Humboldt wants to do in the future, in Utah, they have "media intervenors" who are attorneys who appear pro bono for any journalist. We don't in Humboldt.

Judge Cockrum could have not denied the request, instead just told court staff and left the order blank and assigned judge will rule after discussing with attorneys.

1:40 p.m. Attorneys in intervention with Judge Killoran.

3 p.m.: Kizilay entered a plea to Count 2 felony sexual battery. Count 1 was dismissed. Sentencing on March 30. Eureka Police Department Officer Koa Mihalov was in court.

I will be doing a separate post on the plea because the details in court are not in the minutes. Judge Killoran went over the plea meticulously. The factual basis was stated in court which explains for the first time what happened and what led to Kizilay's arrest and confirmed my research that Kizilay worked for Door Dash. This is court coverage of a convicted sexual batterer and sex offender and includes graphic language. At least Jane Doe is spared the ordeal of a trial. No other media was in court.