John Chiv: Due to Judge Cockrum's error and Jake Combs selfishness, Trevor's loved ones have to suffer again

Apr 28, 2026

Due to Judge Cockrum's error and Jake Combs selfishness, Trevor's loved ones have to suffer again

(Photo of Trevor Earley's loved ones taken by Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell two weeks ago in the courtroom)

If Humboldt Superior Court or HCSO has an issue with the photo, they can take it up with the bailiff or Supervisor Bushnell who gave it to me.

Supervisor Bushnell has been there at court hearings supporting the Earley family. If she is not able to be there, she still checks in with them.

Jake Combs was convicted of Earley's murder. Court of appeals said Humboldt Superior Judge Kaleb Cockrum erred. Conviction overturned. Retrial. Cliff notes for new readers.

Due to Judge Cockrum's error and Combs selfishness, Trevor's loved ones have to suffer again. Judge Cockrum is presiding over the retrial.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor. For this trial, instead of Deputy Public Defender Ben McLaughlin, Combs has two Deputy Public Defenders; Emery Welton and Ryan McClurg. I am not sure why he needs two attorneys. The assignment of two attorneys who do not have the skill or experience that Mr. McLaughlin has is telling.

It isn't as if the facts of the case are going to change. Trevor is dead. Combs is responsible. With all the cases, the Public Defender's Office has a Deputy Public Defender to spare on a criminal that picked up a new case after his Humboldt conviction?

Combs rejected the People's offer. If Combs had any remorse or decency, he would not put Trevor's family through another trial.

Rulings on the motions in limine are important in a trial and so I have included the court minutes from yesterday.

Most of my readers are familiar with the case and read all my coverage. For those who are not or recent new readers, I have provided links to prior coverage.

4/28/26:

People's offer open until 4/29. Defense won't say anything. Today, individual jurors are being questioned which is usually in a closed courtroom.

4/29 related update: Today, I came back three times to check certain cases. This is just one example. Alberto Iskra's case was continued from 4/24 to 4/29 to 4/30 so Change of plea continued to 4/30/26 by defense so the plea form can be completed. Deputy Conflict Counsel Zach Curtis specially appeared for Welton. Court minutes do not state why but being busy with the Combs case obviously impacts Welton's schedule.

The Moe and Curly team of Welton and McClurg are spending taxpayer dollars on a proposed defense expert who wrote a paper, "Human form family bonds with their pet dog."

If Welton and McClurg don't like my description of them or anyone else doesn't; then they should act like lawyers and come up with a legal defense that is respectable instead of putting on a clown show with defense experts like Hare. Welton needs to go get a social worker or non profit job instead of being a lawyer where he can be with his kumbaya friends and they can all pat each other on the back holding cardboard signs with Patagonia products and multi colored hair.

There are many people who love their dogs. Pets are family. They don't go around killing people. There are people whose dogs are well behaved and don't go around attacking and biting people.

Welton and McClurg are pathetic. Their client killed Trevor. Those of us who attended the first trial know what led to Trevor's death.

At sentencing, Judge Cockrum said, "It was a cold, callous, vicious execution."

Is the Public Defender's office trying to throw this case a second time for ineffective assistance of counsel. Welton and McClurg are not a match for Ms. Timm. It wouldn't be the first loss and humiliation of the PD's office by Ms. Timm.

Welton, McClurg and Combs need to stop wasting jurors, court time and taxpayer dollars. Whoever is the obstacle to a plea needs to wake up tomorrow morning and beg forgiveness from the DA and Trevor's family or continue the Russian Roulette which I hope results in a conviction; again.

Court minutes from 4/28 and 4/29 have also been added to the post.

4/30/26: No plea deal. Voir dire started today.

4/27/26: