Alleged molestor Dennis Cameron trial setting continued due to investigation and whether defense expert testimony will be via Zoom

 

Alleged molestor Dennis Cameron's case was on for trial setting this morning.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm is the prosecutor on the case. Today, Deputy DA Trent Timm appeared on the case for the People.

Deputy Conflict Counsel RJ Leohner is Cameron's attorney. Conflict Counsel Supervising Attorney Meagan O'Connell was in court with Cameron today.

Defense requested  further trial setting due to ongoing investigation. Ms. O Connell told Humboldt Superior Court Judge Steven Steward, "Will the DA agree to expert testimony via Zoom? Or we will have to get new experts."

Mr. Timm stipulated to further trial setting. Regarding experts, he asked Conflict Counsel to reach out to Ms. Timm.

Ms. Timm just finished two back to back molestation trials. This was in addition to her regular caseload . She is out of the office for the rest of this week and next week. The conviction of convicted molestor Trinidad Gomez is only because of Ms. Timm. That case had issues and was not a slam dunk. Humboldt County is lucky that Ms. Timm choses to be a prosecutor here.

I say the above for those readers who are fairly new but mostly because I saw several members of Bikers Against Child Abuse seated with some people and a Victim Witness Advocate who got up and left once the next court date was set. I saw the pain and disappointment at yet another delay.

Continuances can be difficult but in this instance, there is good cause and waiting for Ms. Timm is the right decision. Most people in the court system are focused on their one case. That is not diminishing anyone's trauma but multiply one case by hundreds. In Humboldt, just from the cases I cover, it is a predator a day being arrested. The criminal justice system in a rural county could operate 24/7 and it wouldn't be enough.

 The darkest are the sex abuse cases. Think of hundreds and going through back to back trials. I know because I have been through that for 12 years with Ms. Timm, Deputy DA Carolyn Schaffer and DA Stacey Eads and sat through hearing after hearing and covered many preliminary hearings and jury trials daily.  If you read my coverage from the early years of my blog; you know. After covering these for years and four back to back trials; I made a decision for my health. After 12 years of covering courts, I am not going to every hearing; especially for continuances and minor updates.

Judge Steward granted the defense request and further trial setting is on July 21.