This is the 5th street entrance of the Humboldt County courthouse

 I was here at the Courthouse all day on Monday. Got here this morning to see this at the 5th Street entrance. This happened yesterday.

Huffman challenger calls out divisive Jared and MAGA Gaetz

On October 5, I did a post on Jason Brisendine who is the second potential challenger to U.S. Representative for California's 2nd congressional district Jared Huffman. I reported on the first Huffman challenger, Jolian Kanges, last month. 

Brisendine sent me a statement this morning he wrote in response to Jared Huffman and the Speakership situation in Washington.

20 year Richard McCovey arrested for attempted murder

 

20 year old Richard Lawrence McCovey was arrested yesterday by Arcata Police Department for PC 664/187(a) attempted murder and PC 246 discharging a firearm at inhabitated dwelling or occupied vehicle. 

20 year old rape suspect held to answer, Judge Cockrum denies defense request to dismiss case in the interest of justice

 

20 year old rape suspect Ethan Halseth was held to as charged after his preliminary hearing on 10/11. DA chose to only charge Halseth with rape and not sexual battery. 

Defense motion to reduce Count 1 PC 261 (a) (4),  rape of an unconscious victim was denied by Judge Kaleb Cockrum. Defense wanted charges dismissed in the interest of justice which is PC 1385.

27 year old assault suspect rejects people's offer and takes his chances with a jury trial

 

In June, I did a post on 27 year old Riley Kai ClarkWalkner who was arrested on an arrest warrant by CalPoly HSU PD. The DA charged Clarkwalkner with PC 1203.2(a)(2) probation violation, PC 487(d)(2) grand theft of a firearm and two counts of PC 245(a)(1) assault. He also has a 2021 probation violation case. 

County dismisses case against Cyndy Day-Wilson in lawsuit against former Deputy County Counsel

 

(Childs)

(Day-Wilson)

Lawsuit filed against City of Eureka for election code violations by Eureka Housing for All

Just received this tip. " There was another law suit filed against the City of Eureka Yesterday . Election code violations."

I suspect the lawsuit was filed by Citizens for a Better Eureka or Eureka Housing for All. Two of the 4 lawsuits filed by CBE are on the agenda for today to be discussed in closed session. The EHA ballot initiative is on the agenda for the regular meeting. I was correct. 

Kenneth Davis' family missed yesterday's hearing due to miscommunication

 

Yesterday, I did a post on murder suspect Jasen Coley's pre-trial. I noted that no one was there from Coley's family. I made an observation to the the Victim Witness Advocate in court who told me she could not comment. If you read my blog, it is obvious why I did not ask Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers. Considering that Ms. Myers did not waive preliminary hearing for Jasen Coley and said it was in accordance with the Kenneth Davis' family and their wishes; they should have been there so Judge Kaleb Cockrum could have made a more informed decision.

I received an email today from Kenneth "Michael" Davis' family and I am reprinting it with names not included for the family's privacy.

Pesch jury trial vacated; agreement in principle and framework for a plea finally put on record

 

Trial confirmation was scheduled this morning for former baseball coach and alleged molestor Benjamin Pesch. He was in court with Scott Pesch who left when court took a break at 10:40 a.m.

There have been ongoing discussions about a resolution. This morning after the case was sent to Courtroom 5 from Courtroom 1 and after sitting around all morning, shortly before lunch, the jury trial scheduled for 10/30 was vacated. Change of plea or resetting of trial is scheduled for November 7.

Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation gets over 30 national and international applicants for Executive Director position

In July, I was the first to report that less than a year into the job Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Executive Director David Reed had left his position for family reasons. The Foundation's search resulted in over 30 nationwide and internal applications. 

"Bongo Bob" slugs Deputy Public Defender Jason Sheets

 

("Bongo Bob aka Richard Needham)

The courthouse lobby is calm now around lunch but a bit before 9 a.m. this morning when attorneys and others  in the courthouse were at the 5th street entrance, they had to deal with more than the rain and usual Monday morning chaos.

Defense files motion to clarify former EHS employee and convicted rapist's sentence

 

Former Eureka High School employee and convicted rapist Thomas Gowing was sentenced in May. This morning, there was a hearing on a defense motion to clarify sentence. 

Mr. Coley is profoundly mentally ill"

 

This morning at pre-trial for murder suspect Jasen Coley, defense has had discussions with the DA that they wish to waive preliminary hearing. DA will not waive their right to a preliminary hearing.

Coley entered an additional plea of not guilty by reason of insanity today. He responded, " yes" to Judge Kaleb Cockrum when asked, "Do you believe you were insane at the time you committed the alleged crime?"

Mr. Michael Robinson is Coley's attorney. Mr. Robinson told Judge Cockrum he has asked for "a judge to be assigned to this case for continuity." Judge Cockrum said he would email Humboldt Superior Court Presiding Judge Gregory Kreis and Assistant Presiding Judge Kelly Neel regarding this request.

"This case involves a video of the shooting of his longtime family friend with ashotgun in the face, " said Mr. Robinson. "The weapon was in my client's possession. There are many witnesses. There is no ID issue. I have offered to expedite. Mr. Coley is profoundly mentally ill."

Full dismissal finally granted in People of the State of California vs County of Humboldt and KarenPaz Dominguez

 

Full dismissal was finally granted in People of the State of California vs County of Humboldt and KarenPaz Dominguez. The 11/6 date was vacated.

I added the screenshot of my last post because maybe this time the Lost Coast Outpost and Times Standard will get the information right about the dismissal. If and when they follow up, since the court records were provided here they can reiterate the information which required no effort on their part. Court records are neutral and facts unlike the regular free "advertising" " and  County spin" provided by certain media interviewing Rex or a County head approved by the good ole boys and gals on their random coverage of this lawsuit.

CalPolyHSU student's "Think Big, Dream Green" about a secretive Bay Area company to be published in the Airship Association Journal

 

I first met James Caulkins in Fall 2020. James came to Humboldt in 2018 and is a CalPolyHSU student, hoping to graduate next year. James works full time in the hospitality industry. Over the last three years,  I would see James when I was out and about, we would chat. 

Last year, James mentioned to me that he had written an article and was planning to submit it for publication. We talked about some strategies and options. I wished him well and asked if I could do an article when he gets his first publication.

$230,000 from DA Asset Forfeiture Fund to be given for County Radio Infrastructure Project

 

Condidering the Board of Supervisors are the bosses and control the DA's office and the livelihood of that department, was this a "contribution" or government speak for "we are taking some of your funds" but we will make it sound nice on the agenda? 

There are other attachments with this agenda item you can view online.

Christine “Clover” Randolph located deceased in Mendocino County

Eureka Police Department issued an update on Christine “Clover” Randolph.  MCSO issued a press release that there is an active coroner's investigation in an attempt to determine the classification and cause of Randolph's death. A forensic autopsy has been scheduled for 10-14-2023 to include blood alcohol and toxicology analysis.

Her son, Root Birimisa, who had recently been released from Humboldt jail and was traveling with Randolph was arrested for DUI, hit and run and other charges which have the Humboldt case number. Randolph's body was discovered in a section of concaved flooring in the van.

Birimisa's Mendocino arrest and charges were reported in a post on Wednesday about his Humboldt case. The charges did not include homicide and the MCSO press release today does not name him as a suspect in his mother's death.

A former public defender, appointed just like Judge Kreis sides with him and rules against former Humboldt Deputy County Counsel

 

When Judge Timothy Canning was assigned the County of Humboldt vs Cathie Childs, rulings were different. Then Humboldt Presiding Judge Gregory Kreis took over and all he does is continue court hearings and motions and refused to recuse himself. A Tehama County Judge who was appointed the same year as Kreis and was a former public defender sided in a ruling against Childs. Let's see if Kreis' rulings will favor the County, so far the pattern indicates Child and her attorneys hearing no from Kreis.