John Chiv: Why is the defense wasting taxpayer dollars when Daryl Jones has already been evaluated by two doctors and criminal proceedings were reinstated?

May 28, 2026

Why is the defense wasting taxpayer dollars when Daryl Jones has already been evaluated by two doctors and criminal proceedings were reinstated?

This morning, there is trial setting and hearing on the defense's request for mental health diversion in terroristic and criminal threat suspect Daryl Jones' case.

Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell filed the requrst on 5/13. Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees is currently in trial and has been very busy. Either no opposition was filed by the DA's office or it has not been entered in e court. I checked every day and yesterday at 11 a.m.; 1:57 p.m. and 2:37 p.m.

If the DA does not oppose the mental health diversion, the process will be faster; if the DA opposes mental health diversion, there are extra steps.

In my May 15 post, I wrote, "Ms. O'Connell said that Dr. Lamers indicated Jones had a cognitive disability and she "was not sure" why Dr. Lamers was not doing a psychiatric evaluation himself. Ms. O' Connell asked for a referral to Redwood Regional Center to see if Jones is eligible for their services.

Judge Tsenin ordered that Dr. Lamers to evaluate Jones for competency as well as cognitive disability. A referral was also made to Redwood Regional Center. Receipt of reports on June 25."

In my July 8 post, there was another report and this one from Dr. Loya This hearing had been scheduled on 6/25 and continued by defense. Criminal proceedings were reinstated on July 8.

Why is the defense wasting taxpayer dollars when Daryl Jones has already been evaluated by two doctors and criminal proceedings were reinstated?

The alleged victims in this case may not want a plea but it is better than mental health diversion.

It is a complete failure and even if you just read my blog or Facebook page, there are enough examples.

I have not decided whether I will go to the hearing today. Most likely, I will check court minutes. There is nothing significant happening today.

Mr. Rees has a dark day tomorrow in his current jury trial so he may request a continuance.

I have provided links to all 24 posts I have done on this case. This is number 25.

8:45 Everyone waiting on Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O Connell, Daryl Jones' attorney. 8:57 I was correct, the matter is being continued. I was also correct that Senior Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees has been busy.

9:12 Just setting dates turned into more, both attorneys left the courtroom. Two Humboldt Superior Court judges; Judge Steven Steward and Judge Kaleb Cockrum have recused themselves. The People are filing paperwork to disqualify Judge Neel because she has a child attending one of the schools involved. Setting is on June 2.

A 5 minute hearing turned into 45 minutes. First, we waited for Ms. O'Conell. Mr. Rees is currently in a jury trial for James Atkins, Retired Judge John Feeney is currently presiding over the Trinidad Gomez trial, Ms. Joanne Carter who represents an alleged victim and had other court cases to go to has been there on time and for every hearing. Unlike other media, I cover at least 20 cases a day and with defendants who have 4 or 5 cases and follow up on civil cases and court minutes, it is 40 hours a day. That time is not compensated hourly, by a steady government paycheck or most of Humboldt. I cover other California counties and other states and if you have read my blog for 12 plus years or a few years; this is Humboldt specific.

When Ms. O'Connell arrived, Judge Feeney said that the request for mental health diversion had to be addressed before trial setting.

Mr. Rees asked that the matter be put over two weeks because he has been busy in trial and while the DA's office received the petition on May 14, a day after it was filed; there were other reasons such as the "doctor's availability."

Ms. O' Connell had scheduling requests. There was back and forth about the time estimate; alleged victims and community members may testify or address the Court.

Humboldt Superior Court Operations Manager Scott Anderson went to check on dates. Ms. O'Connell left to go address another case in Courtroom 3 and saying she would be back shortly turned into several minutes. Finally, she came back. Two potential dates were suggested and the case would be in front of Judge Neel on those days. Then Mr. Rees put hisstepped out for a few minutes, put his concerns about conflict of interest by Judge Neel and that the matter be continued for People to file paperwork. Even if dates are set on June 2, there is no guarantee because both attorneys indicated if doctors are not available, there will be a motion to continue. Like I said before the hearing, waste of time.

Previous posts:

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/03/read-for-yourself-35-count-unified.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/03/judge-canning-holds-daryl-jones-to.html?m=1#more

Previous posts (preliminary hearing):

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/02/i-expected-defense-to-do-this-but.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/read-for-yourself-detailed-complaint.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/more-testimony-that-daryl-jones-made.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/how-do-you-not-take-i-want-to-kill-her.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2026/01/day-3-of-daryl-jones-preliminary.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/10/terroristic-and-criminal-threat-suspect.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/08/64-calls-to-north-point-consulting-five.html?m=1

https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2025/08/testimony-on-first-day-of-daryl-jones.html?m=1