John Chiv: Destinee Rhamy called a liar by Deputy DA Rees; family members of both defendant and victim admonished by Judge and defense's self defense preview in yesterday's trial testimony

Mar 5, 2026

Destinee Rhamy called a liar by Deputy DA Rees; family members of both defendant and victim admonished by Judge and defense's self defense preview in yesterday's trial testimony

**This is a copy of an email City of Eureka told me does not exist that I was tipped about last week, Rhamy's attorney did not know about it. It was a complaint against Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens sent to some local and regional media, the Eureka City Council and Grand Jury months ago and nothing was reported about it until it was sent to me. You can read more in the related posts on this case**

Yesterday, I told my Facebook readers that I would be doing a new post on the Destinee Rhamy homicide trial since I was in the courtroom for some of her testimony yesterday. Unless something significant happens; all updates until the verdict will be added to this post.

The trial is started later than scheduled because Humboldt Superior Court Judge Lawrence Killoran was calling the Courtroom 8 calendar. The courtroom opened at 9:36 a.m.

Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is the prosecutor for this case. Ms. Andrea Sullivan is Rhamy's attorney. She is her third court appointed attorney because the Public Defender's Office declared a last minute conflict which caused a delay in this 2023 case.

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/03/two-year-homicide-case-delayed-because.html?m=1

I was sitting on the side of the courtroom with Victim Witness Advocate MH, victim Holland Elbik's mother and another woman who maybe a family member or friend. Across the courtroom are the four Rhamy's family members and friends including a woman who I think is her grandmother based on the courtroom reaction to Rhamy's witness.

Judge Lawrence Killoran had to tell audience in the Destinee Rhamy trial "not to make audible responses to questions". This was from both the Rhany and Elbik side. It is very annoying and distracting for jurors, the judge, attorneys as well as me trying to listen and take notes.

There are always cases in Humboldt you can smell drama from the beginning and family members who think acting out in a court of law "helps" the victim or the defendant. Keep your Real Lives of Humboldt in your living room.

Elbik was Rhamy's 27 year old roomate. Rhamy was 20 years old in 2023 when she was arrested.

Zach Hood, a witness in the case, could not be in the courtroom. He hugged Rhamy before she went into court this morning.

I don't know Rhamy. I don't know Elbik. I have seen Rhamy with Ms. Sullivan at the courthouse. As I have said multiple times before, Rhamy is lucky to have Ms. Sullivan as an attorney.

Unlike the testy exchanges between Juan Ferrer and Mr. Rees in the Arcata chef Douglas Anderson-Jordet case which resulted in Ferrer conviction of voluntary manslaughter and also involved a stabbing; Rhamy did not snap at Mr. Rees. Maybe because she has a competent attorney who prepped her for testimony and cross examination and how to behave.

Mr. Rees asked Rhamy, "After seeing the body cam of Officer Cassidy and the 911 call, would you agree you are a liar?"

Ms. Sullivan objected. Mr. Rees said, "it goes to credibility."

Rhamy responded, "No."

Ms. Sullivan replayed a portion of People's Exhibit 48 and then questioned Rhamy.

Rhamy did not remember that phone call. She said, "I was heavily medicated in jail. I had PTSD, anxiety and depression."

Rhamy talked about "Holly" reaching out for help. She made a statement about Elbik's mom saying, "Her mom should be held accountable. She couldn't come get her fucking kids."

Rhamy testified that Elbik talked about the government having control of her mind and that Elbik tried to light a fire "10 or more times."

Rhamy said calls were made to EPD. She called once. Mr. Rees objected to Rhamy testifying about the calls made by her grandfather.

Rhamy testified she feared Elbik "may burn the house down." She was "afraid Zach was being killed."

She regrets not telling EPD Detective Raymond Nunez about the knife. While Rhamy did not remember text messages; she acknowledged sending those text messages.

Rhamy does not remember but agreed that Elbik was stabbed in the chest.

Rhamy was thinking of calling a family friend who has retired as an attorney but did not follow through.

Based on what I heard today, self defense is definitely going to be an argument Ms. Sullivan will make during closing.

Jurors excused early on 3/5/26. Attorneys met this afternoon with Judge Killoran to finalize jury instructions. Closing arguments are tomorrow on 3/6.

Since I posted, the jury make up has changed with one juror being excused for illness. A female alternate juror replaced that juror. Two male alternates remain.

District Attorney Stacey Eads was in the courtroom yesterday afternoon. I was there as she left which was after jurors left for the day.

Before my related post about the complaint filed against EPD Police Chief Brian Stephens and this post, Elbik's mother was a reader and positive about my coverage. If her opinion has changed, I don't know but I don't report based on what one side or the other or anyone thinks of me and unlike Victim Witness, the prosecution, the defense or any party or EPD; I report on testimony, facts and evidence available.

For those who are following my trial coverage, I have been including links for previous posts on the trial. There are updates in each post with court minutes.

I included links to all my coverage on the case in the very first post on the trial.

3/6/26: Jurors headed into deliberations at 1:51 p.m.

3/4/26 court minutes: